Controversial Remarks by Senate Candidate Graham Platner Surface

Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate in Maine, faces backlash due to comments he made on a now-deleted Reddit account. He labeled the United States Army as ‘absolute trash’ and criticized its members. Furthermore, he described them as ‘fat, lazy trash who would rather not be in uniform.’

In April 2019, Platner wrote about his experiences in the Army, noting that while he was fortunate to serve in reputable units, he believed the organization as a whole was subpar. ‘I am not one to totally bad mouth the Army,’ Platner stated. Acknowledging the presence of diligent units and effective doctrines, he remarked on a perceived lack of warrior ethos and leadership compared to the Marine Corps.

Additionally, posts from 2019 included his criticism of Teddy Daniels, a wounded Army veteran awarded the Purple Heart. Platner questioned Daniels’ tactics, stating the soldier ‘didn’t deserve to live.’ These comments, alongside other derogatory statements against rural Americans and his self-identification as a Marxist, have sparked controversy in his senatorial campaign against GOP incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.

Platner discussed his military service, which includes tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marine Corps and the Maryland Army National Guard. He expressed that internal criticism was necessary for the military, though his language was harsh. He acknowledged the Army’s proficiency in certain areas like reconnaissance and SOF units but held firm on his overall negative assessment.

Platner, identified on Reddit as ‘P-Hustle,’ has since apologized for his posts. ‘I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am,’ he commented after the posts resurfaced. He urged people to assess him based on his current identity rather than past online statements.

The remarks have drawn criticism from fellow veterans, including Adam Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL, who disapproved of Platner’s attitude towards service members. Schwarze stated, ‘We don’t make jokes about our brothers and sisters dying.’

Platner attributes some of his conduct to the psychological impact of his military deployments and crude humor developed during his service. His contentious statements were not limited to Reddit. In a 2024 podcast, he suggested that Navy SEAL Chris Kyle exaggerated his kill numbers, linking Kyle’s behavior to indiscriminate firing.

These revelations have led to political ramifications. The National Republican Senatorial Committee called Platner’s comments ‘disgusting and disqualifying,’ putting pressure on his Democratic allies. Despite requests, Platner’s campaign did not provide further comments regarding the resurfaced posts.