Schumer Backs Platner Amid Scandals

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reaffirmed his support for Graham Platner in Maine's Senate race despite recent controversies involving sexually explicit messages sent by Platner to other women while married. According to multiple reports, Schumer met with Platner and stated, 'We are going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate.' However, Schumer did not directly address questions about his satisfaction with Platner’s explanations of the scandals.

The controversies have led to resignations within Platner’s campaign, including Genevieve McDonald, who served as political director at the time of the revelations. McDonald stated: 'The United States Senate is not a training ground for redemption. It is a place for proven leaders with moral clarity and integrity.' Additionally, Platner faces scrutiny over past Reddit posts between 2009 and 2021 that included inflammatory comments about veterans, sexual assault, and political opponents.

Despite the backlash, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut defended Platner, suggesting voters in Maine resonate with his 'regular people' struggles. However, Republicans like state Sen. Trey Stewart warn that Democrats are 'selling their soul' by defending Platner, citing his Nazi-linked tattoo and inflammatory remarks about veterans.

The New York Times reported on new allegations from multiple women who dated Graham Platner, describing him as abusive and 'cavalierly contemptuous of women's emotions.' One ex-girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, alleged that Platner frequently grabbed her by the shoulders and once yanked her out of a taxi by her wrist. Another woman, Jenny Racicot, described recognizing a version of him in his old posts that she had experienced firsthand.

Platner has denied these allegations, stating they are 'politically motivated.' He acknowledged struggling with undiagnosed PTSD and self-medicating with alcohol but maintained that the serious allegations against him are false. Platner's campaign described Fifield as a 'lifelong GOP operative' dedicated to electing Republicans.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has not backed away from his endorsement of Platner despite the growing scandals. Sanders argued that Platner’s firm stance against billionaires was dredging up the skeletons in his closet. 'What we're looking at right now is a situation where billionaires have already pledged to spend $90 million in a tiny state like Maine.' Trust me, that is a lot of money. They don't want him in.' Sanders also mentioned that Platner and his wife Amy would work on their marriage.

During a meeting at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headquarters, Platner did not respond to questions from reporters and quickly entered a waiting car as he exited the meeting, which stretched for more than an hour and a half. A spokesperson for the DSCC did not respond to a request for comment. Sanders addressed reporters and anti-Platner protesters outside the meeting, questioning their moral stance in light of President Trump's actions.

Democratic senators attending a closed-door meeting with Platner on Tuesday brushed off questions about the controversies engulfing his campaign, with some expressing confidence in his chances. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told reporters outside the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee building that she is 'very confident we are going to win Maine.' When pressed on whether she had confidence in Platner, Gillibrand replied, 'I do. I have confidence that we are going to win Maine and I have no doubt.'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., declined to answer questions from reporters about the controversies surrounding Platner's campaign as she entered the meeting at DSCC headquarters. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said the decision is 'going to be up to voters in Maine.' Asked whether he believes the moderate jurisdiction will back Platner, the Vermont senator replied, 'We'll see.'

A Kik account appearing to belong to Platner featuring a sexually suggestive photo of Platner posing shirtless with only a towel wrapped around his waist was found. However, his campaign told Fox News Digital that the account was created while he was single and 'has long been deleted from his phone.' The Marine Corps veteran has also faced criticism over a Nazi-linked tattoo and resurfaced online posts, including a 2019 Reddit post that said Purple Heart veteran Teddy Daniels 'didn’t deserve to live.'

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman ramped up criticism of Platner, challenging him to release messages linked to the Kik account. Fetterman told Fox News host Sean Hannity, 'Let me make a deal. I'll tell P-Hustle, I'll wear a suit every day, if he releases all those texts and messages that he's had... [with] the dozen women.' Fetterman argued that Platner should release the messages if he has 'nothing to hide,' while raising concerns about age verification on anonymous messaging platforms. Platner's campaign previously acknowledged that the Kik account belonged to him but stated it was deleted from his phone.

Platner will face David Costello in Maine's Democratic Senate primary on June 9. The winner will take on five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.