After Graham Platner, a candidate from Maine, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday, the co-hosts of “The View” engaged in a lively debate about whether they should overlook his past controversies in support of him.
Co-host Sarah Haynes expressed her concerns, stating, “I could easily name a lot of people who have similar issues. He mentioned having a Nazi tattoo that he thought was covered up, but several of his ex-girlfriends said he took pride in it, calling it Totenkopf, which is a Nazi symbol. He has shown us who he is.” She added that with the current climate of anti-Semitism, it feels wrong to ignore such a significant issue just because he aligns with their policies.
Another co-host, Alyssa Farrar Griffin, pointed out his track record, mentioning his history of mocking veterans and using offensive language online. She referred to the troubling nature of his actions.
During the discussion, Griffin noted, “I know his accuser—have known her for years—and she spoke to the New York Times. I find her accusations credible. He denies it, but we should be cautious.” She cautioned that just because there’s dissatisfaction with the current administration doesn’t mean they should compromise their values.
Meanwhile, Sunny Hostin stood firm in her support for Platner, saying that if she lived in Maine, she would “hold her nose and vote for Platner.” She argued that it’s challenging for Republicans to claim moral superiority right now and urged Democrats to take strategic action to regain power in Congress. Hostin acknowledged the importance of character but felt the current situation called for pragmatic choices.
Graham Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer, overcame two other strong opponents in the primary, gaining backing from prominent progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. However, he has faced scrutiny over the past month due to various controversies—including inflammatory remarks on social media, a now-hidden tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol, and allegations of inappropriate conduct during his marriage. Platner has denied the allegations of violence surrounding him.
Efforts to reach out to Platner’s campaign have, so far, gone unanswered.
