Maine Senate Candidate Faces Scrutiny Over Controversial Online Comments

Graham Platner, the likely Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is under fire due to resurfaced social media posts. He made controversial remarks on race, sexuality, political violence, and his personal beliefs. As a 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, Platner links his past online behavior to depression and PTSD from his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He claims that being in the infantry exposed him to crude humor and offensive language. ‘I’m sorry for this,’ Platner remarked about his past online comments. ‘These do not represent who I am today. I ask people to judge me by who I am now.’

PTSD Explanation Raises Questions

Platner, seen at a town hall event in Portland, Maine, on September 25, 2025, has stopped using the Reddit username ‘p-Hustle.’ Yet, thousands of his past posts remain accessible through sources like the Maine Monitor. This has led to increased criticism as he aims to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Controversial Comments on Race

Platner’s Reddit history includes a 2013 post questioning why Black patrons often leave small tips. Despite noting instances of 15-20% tips, he mentioned that typically, tips fall between 0-5%. ‘There’s got to be a reason behind it, what is it?’ he wrote.

Use of Slurs

Platner’s posts reveal liberal use of slurs against homosexuals and mentally disabled individuals. For example, he challenged the authenticity of others by using derogatory terms in a firearms subreddit post. Despite using such language, Platner did advocate for greater acceptance of homosexuals in the military, highlighting a negative experience shared by a gay Marine officer.

Comments on White America and Crime

In a 2020 post, Platner described residents of rural white America as racist, which conflicts with his current political pursuits. Additionally, he noted that public concern over crime often arises only when white individuals are affected, suggesting this links to gun-related deaths involving young Black men.

Expressions of Left-Wing Ideology

Platner, who previously identified as a communist on Reddit, shifted toward socialism after leaving military service. He was involved with the Socialist Rifle Association and regularly posted in socialist subreddits. Despite these past claims, Platner informed CNN he no longer identifies with these labels, mentioning he owns a small business and is a Marine Corps veteran.

Opinions on Political Violence

In 2013, Platner voiced support for lethal action against political opponents when necessary. He cited thousands of anti-fascist protestors attacking a far-right party’s office in Greece as an example. Platner has been known to call Republican politicians fascists.

Views on Animals and Violence

Platner made controversial remarks about animals, jokingly asking why not select healthier pets. He also described his method for dispatching mice using a heavy kettlebell.

Derogatory Comments on Military

In 2019, Platner criticized an American soldier’s tactics in a deleted video where he was shot by the Taliban. He referred to the soldier derogatorily and criticized his approach to combat.

Remarks on Sex Trade

Platner implied familiarity with South American sex workers in response to a post about the Colombian sex trade. He questioned another user’s experience, possibly joking based on previous content from the ‘P-Hustle’ account.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee strongly criticized Platner’s remarks, saying, ‘Platner’s comments are disqualifying.’ His campaign did not comment when reached for statements regarding his past Reddit activity.