Graham Platner Faces Backlash Over Controversial Comments

Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate running for the U.S. Senate in Maine, has come under fire for comments he made about the U.S. Army. In posts from his now-deleted Reddit account, Platner described the Army as “absolute trash” and critiqued the fitness and motivation of its members.

In an April 2019 post, Platner expressed his belief that the Army organization was lacking in comparison to other military branches. He acknowledged some positive aspects of the Army, such as strong units and skilled members, but emphasized a lack of leadership and a warrior ethos.

The issue has intensified as other past remarks by Platner have resurfaced, including a 2019 comment about wounded Army veteran Teddy Daniels. In that comment, Platner harshly criticized Daniels’ battlefield methods after he was shot by the Taliban and awarded the Purple Heart.

Platner’s controversial posts have become a prominent issue in his campaign against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. These posts often included slurs about white rural Americans and criticisms of military operations. Platner has identified himself as a Marxist in previous posts.

Platner, a former Marine Corps and Army National Guard member, completed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a March 2019 comment, Platner described the Army as ineffective compared to other services, stating that it was “full of fat, lazy trash.” Nevertheless, he did offer praise for the Army’s light infantry, reconnaissance, and special operations units.

He also highlighted the importance of internal criticism within the military, stating, “Civilians can be as dumb… but WE have a duty to be brutally honest.”

When approached about his Reddit posts, Platner expressed regret, stating that they do not reflect his current views. “I’m sorry for this. Just know it’s not reflective at all of who I am,” he said, adding he hoped to be judged by his actions today. Platner launched his Senate campaign in August 2025.

In another instance, Platner faced criticism for remarks made during a 2024 podcast interview. He suggested deceased Navy SEAL Chris Kyle inflated the number of his military kills by being reckless, and he criticized the competence of Navy SEALs on his Reddit account, though he had positive comments for the Army Rangers.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson, Bernadette Breslin, condemned Platner’s comments. “Graham Platner’s vicious attacks on wounded service members and open contempt for the Army are disgusting and disqualifying,” Breslin said. The Platner campaign has not provided a comment on these revelations despite requests.