Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, has been facing challenges in his campaign due to his deleted Reddit account. Recently, some posts mocking American soldiers who narrowly escaped combat have resurfaced, causing additional scrutiny.
In a June 2019 post from an account linked to Platner, he shared a viral video featuring a soldier’s helmet camera during a 2012 encounter with the Taliban, which led to the soldier, Ted Daniels, being shot four times and receiving a Purple Heart. The post included harsh criticisms of Daniels, suggesting that his survival was due to poor marksmanship from the Taliban and dismissing his decisions during combat as foolish.
Although the post has been taken down, it’s been documented in a Maine Monitor database.
Critics have emerged from different corners, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee and former military personnel. Adam Schwarze, a veteran running for Senate in Minnesota, condemned Platner’s comments, emphasizing that such mockery is unacceptable in the military community. He acknowledged that while service members may joke among themselves in private, Platner’s comments cross a line.
Schwarze also noted concerning posts from Platner’s account about law enforcement, which he argued misrepresents the views of veterans, many of whom have transitioned from military service to police work. He expressed concern about Platner’s mental health and suggested that he should seek help rather than pursue a Senate position.
NRSC Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell remarked that mocking those who risk their lives for freedom is not befitting a Senate member.
Journalist Magdy Jacobs, who highlighted the deleted posts, accused Platner of lacking empathy, suggesting his disdain for fellow soldiers who don’t meet his standards in warfare.
When contacted for a statement, Platner’s team pointed to previous defenses where he described his controversial remarks as jokes taken out of context. He pushed back against any interpretations that implied harm or disrespect.
Further controversies include past posts discussing sensitive topics such as sexual assault and military tactics, some of which have drawn fire for being insensitive. Platner is now set to face off against five-term Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in a pivotal election that could shape the U.S. Senate’s balance of power.
