Political Career of Graham Platner Under Fire
MS NOW host Jen Psaki expressed frustration on Wednesday regarding the candidacy of former Maine Senator Graham Platner. She referred to his political journey as “infuriating to all of us” after he declared his intention to run.
During her show, “The Briefing,” Psaki mentioned that Platner had previously withdrawn from the Maine Senate race, following allegations from his ex-girlfriend, Jenny Racicot. She claimed that he had entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and engaged in sexual acts against her wishes in 2021. Platner has outright denied these accusations. This incident was reported after The New York Times highlighted more troubling behavior associated with Platner, including concerning actions towards women.
Psaki remarked, “This marks the end of an unpredictable and chaotic chapter. It’s been fascinating, in a way, primarily due to the political narrative that has, understandably, angered many regarding Platner’s career.” She emphasized the importance of engaging with constituents to grasp the situation fully, even when it seems confusing.
How Graham Plattner’s Campaign Disintegrated
Interestingly, Psaki noted that Platner had defeated Maine Governor Janet Mills, who ended her campaign due to lack of funds. She observed that his candidacy revealed much, despite his evident flaws.
Psaki asserted that the true heroes were the women who bravely came forward with their stories. “It’s over now; there’s no one celebrating this outcome. Yet, on social media, there are plenty who seem out of touch. The courage of the women who stepped forward really matters,” she stated.
Regarding Platner’s resignation announcement, she critiqued a lengthy video he posted as revealing more about his character. “It took a while for him to get to the point, but it showed a man who seemed unwilling to accept responsibility in light of serious and credible allegations,” she said.
Embedding complex shades, Platner has dealt with various controversies, including having a Nazi tattoo. Psaki recalled interviewing him on her show in late 2025 and early 2026, where she challenged his responses concerning his past comments and the focus on his tattoos, suggesting he might have been avoiding accountability.
Previous Controversies Impact Platner’s Reputation
His primary scandal emerged when CNN uncovered deleted Reddit posts from a span of years—2009 to 2021. These posts included incendiary remarks from Platner, describing himself as a “communist,” dismissing police widely, and accusing white rural Americans of being less intelligent. His combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan reportedly shifted his political viewpoint to a more leftist ideology.
Further scrutiny arose from posts suggesting that people should “take some responsibility for themselves” to avoid sexual assault, which Platner later downplayed. While Psaki chose not to press him on these past remarks during their latest interview, she did bring them up while previewing the segment.
