The woman who made serious allegations against Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner stated in a CNN interview on Monday that he “absolutely” raped her. Jenny Racicot, who previously discussed her story, didn’t initially use the term during her recounting. However, when asked directly by Jake Tapper if she believed Platner had raped her, she responded, “By definition? Yes, absolutely.”
Racicot’s claims got attention earlier when Politico reported them on Monday. In three interviews conducted by the outlet in 2021, she described how Platner allegedly forced her to engage in sexual acts against her will. Platner has adamantly denied the accusations, while Racicot mentioned that he appeared “almost inebriated” at the time of the encounter.
Racicot explained her decision to come forward, expressing a desire to challenge the status quo: “There are a lot of men in this world who depend on women’s silence to maintain their place, and I don’t want to be a part of that.” When Tapper pressed her about potential backlash from Platner’s supporters, she acknowledged a “huge moral conflict,” admitting she agreed with Platner’s political views. “I really agree with his politics,” she said, recognizing the difficulties of her situation.
While sharing her story, Racicot recounted her distressing experience, saying there was a moment when Platner seemed to apologize before continuing his actions. “I remember him grabbing my pelvis and coming at me very forcefully,” she recalled, adding that she felt her choice had been taken away.
In response to the allegations, Platner’s campaign released a statement calling them “alarming, serious and false.” He emphasized that any accusation of non-consensual conduct is unfounded and stated that his team is reflecting on their path forward in light of what he termed “inaccuracies in reporting.”
Following the report, several Democratic senators withdrew their support from Platner, with some urging him to exit the Senate race altogether. Concerns also surfaced regarding Platner’s campaign, including a past controversy linked to a tattoo bearing a Nazi symbol.
Earlier in June, The New York Times published an article covering allegations about Platner by women who had previously dated him. Racicot contributed to the discussion but didn’t delve into specifics about the 2021 incident.
In the context of this turmoil, Racicot remarked that she found Platner’s actions “reckless” and “unsettling,” leading to a breakdown in their communication shortly after the incident.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Platner’s campaign for further comments.
