Ryan Grimm, a journalist from Dropsite, confirmed on Wednesday that Politico left out crucial information regarding sexual assault allegations against Democratic Maine Senator Graham Platner.
A Politico journalist discovered text messages exchanged between Jenny Racicot and Platner. In these messages, Racicot supposedly mentioned needing a “butt massage” before instructing him not to come. The reporter hinted at this to Platner’s team, but later characterized the specifics as “not clear.”
During an interview with Politico, Racicot accused Platner of forcibly entering her home in 2021 and having non-consensual sex with her. In a later conversation with CNN’s Jake Tapper, she remarked that Platner “misinterpreted my statement as an invitation,” yet Tapper did not probe further for details.
A representative from Politico stated to the Daily Caller News Foundation that they had provided Platner’s campaign “ample opportunity to respond” and promised that any new information would be incorporated into their reporting. The spokesperson claimed, “This story is based on extensive reporting and interviews and reflects our editorial standards.” They reiterated that Racicot had previously indicated she told Platner not to come over, and they had given him the chance to present details or documents that disputed their account. They also assured that they would report significant information that challenges their previous findings.
Tapper has yet to respond to requests from the Daily Caller News Foundation for comments.
Racicot reportedly told Platner not to go to her home, implying he may have shown up uninvited. However, she deleted messages with him around the time of the alleged incident and decided not to contact law enforcement.
Platner has denied Racicot’s allegations in a video statement released on Monday. He expressed, “I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me,” and added that the community has shown him a different kind of politics that prioritizes people’s interests.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, and Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts have retracted their support for Platner, urging him to step down. Reports suggest he may withdraw from the race as early as Wednesday, although he has insisted on selecting a replacement beforehand.
Additionally, Democratic Representative Vali Geiger from Maine stated that Platner encouraged her to consider running instead of him.
The Maine Democratic Party has canceled campaign events and is contemplating its next steps in light of Racicot’s allegations. Upcoming events had been scheduled for Augusta City Hall and Gorham City Hall but were postponed. A local Democrat noted that Platner was “not feeling well.”
Platner’s former girlfriend, conservative activist Lindsey Fifield, accused him of removing a condom without her consent during sex, which he denied. She claimed that he twisted her arm and confined her to her bedroom in June. This accusation was mentioned in an interview with the New York Times.
Fifield, who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015, did not publicly acknowledge their relationship until June and stated that she would campaign for Republican Senator Susan Collins. However, she did not disclose how the Times came to interview her or whether they reached out to her specifically for a conversation.
In interviews with the Times, other former partners described Platner as a “gentle giant” and an “amazing boyfriend.”
