Graham Platner, the embattled Democratic Senate nominee from Maine who faces a rape accusation from a former girlfriend, wrote a vulgar Reddit post in 2013 in which he told victims of sexual assault to «take some responsibility» for their own safety. The resurfaced post has intensified scrutiny of Platner’s campaign as a key deadline approaches for him to withdraw from the race.
«Holy f---, how about people just take some responsibility for themselves and not get so f---ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to?» Platner wrote in response to another user who expressed disappointment that women could not get intoxicated without fearing sexual assault. He continued: «Men and women, you make a choice to consume enough of a substance to lose your self control. So if you don't want to be in a comprising situation, act like an adult for f---s sake.» Platner added, «Rape is a real thing, if you're so worried about it to buy Kevlar underwear you'd think you might not get blacked out f---ed up around people you aren't comfortable with.»
The post, which was first reported by Fox News Digital, has drawn sharp criticism as Platner already faces a formal accusation of rape from Jenny Racicot, a former girlfriend. Racicot told Politico and CNN that Platner broke into her home while intoxicated in late 2021 and forced her to have sex despite her repeated objections. «I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,» Racicot said. «I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’» She added that one reason she delayed coming forward was the moral conflict between supporting his politics and not supporting him as a person.
Platner has denied the allegation. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
Another ex-girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, has also come forward with accusations. She told the New York Times in June that Platner «too often self medicated with alcohol, and was a far from perfect boyfriend.» Fifield accused him of emotional abuse and intimidation, allegations he also denies. «You can't be that way in private and not have it translate into how you would govern or how you would legislate,» she said. «It terrifies me to think of him having any type of power politically, because what is he going to do with the women in his office?» The Washington Post later reported that Fifield accused Platner of removing condoms during sex in a «sneaky way.»
The rape allegation proved to be the tipping point for many high-profile Democrats who had previously stuck by Platner through months of controversy. Those earlier controversies included a Nazi-linked tattoo, abusive partner allegations, and a series of lewd Reddit posts — ranging from comments about masturbating in portable toilets to mocking a wounded U.S. soldier. After Racicot’s allegation became public, several prominent Democrats rescinded their endorsements and called on Platner to drop out of the Senate race.
Platner has so far resisted those calls. He must withdraw by July 13 for Democrats to be able to select a replacement candidate by July 27. If he remains in the race, another Reddit post from 2018 could further damage his campaign. In that post, Platner criticized Republicans for supporting candidates accused of sexual assault, writing: «Ah yes, the old ‘I'll vote for the sexual predator/corrupt candidate scheme because he's a Republican’ game.»
At the America 250 State Fair, some voters expressed frustration with the Democratic Party’s handling of the situation. «The Democratic Party has a lifespan that's not much longer,» said Nancy from Tennessee. «They realize — party's sinking, and one of the ways to keep it from sinking is get the dead weight off the ship, and he is a piece of dead weight.» Bob from Maryland speculated that Democrats are «so worried about not getting the House or Senate back, or the presidency, they'd do anything.» Karen from Maryland questioned the party’s consistency, asking, «What happened to believe all women?» She called the situation «disgusting.»
The unfolding scandal has placed Platner’s campaign in jeopardy as the primary election approaches, with voters and party leaders alike weighing the implications of his candidacy.
