Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner faces backlash after resurfaced Reddit posts reveal derogatory comments about the Army and wounded veterans, raising concerns in his campaign against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, has come under fire for derogatory comments he made about the United States Army in now-deleted Reddit posts. In these posts, Platner described the Army as “absolute trash” and “full of fat, lazy trash who would rather not be in uniform.”
The comments, which date back to 2019, included a particularly harsh critique of Army veteran Teddy Daniels, who was awarded the Purple Heart after being shot by the Taliban. Platner referred to Daniels as a “dumb motherf—er” who “didn’t deserve to live,” igniting significant controversy as he campaigns to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner, who served in the Marine Corps and the Maryland Army National Guard with multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has expressed a mix of admiration and criticism for the Army. He acknowledged that while there are “some solid light infantry, reconnaissance, and SOF units that are s— hot,” he believes the organization as a whole is lacking in the “warrior ethos and leadership obsession” found in the Marine Corps.
“The Army does things differently, and as a whole, they do things much worse,” Platner wrote in March 2019. His comments have resurfaced at a critical time in his Senate campaign, where they have become a focal point for opponents and critics alike.
In a 2013 post, Platner emphasized the importance of internal criticism within the armed forces, stating, “Civilians can be as dumb f–k ret—ed as they want, but WE have a duty to be brutally honest.” However, his recent remarks have drawn ire from fellow veterans, who argue that such comments are inappropriate and disrespectful.
Adam Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL and Marine veteran running for Senate as a Republican in Minnesota, criticized Platner’s remarks, saying, “We don’t make jokes about our brothers and sisters dying, that’s not something we do, that’s not normal.”
In response to the backlash, Platner has expressed regret for his past comments, stating, “I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am.” He urged voters not to judge him solely based on his past online behavior, but rather on the person he is today.
Platner’s controversial statements extend beyond Reddit. In a podcast interview earlier this year, he implied that deceased Navy SEAL Chris Kyle may have inflated his kill count by being less discriminating in his fire. He has also criticized Navy SEALs while praising Army Rangers, further complicating his standing among military communities.
National Republican Senatorial Committee press secretary Bernadette Breslin condemned Platner’s comments, stating, “Graham Platner’s vicious attacks on wounded service members and open contempt for the Army are disgusting and disqualifying.” She added that the more information that comes to light about Platner, the more difficult it becomes for his Democratic allies, including prominent figures like Elizabeth Warren, to support him.
As the campaign progresses, Platner’s past comments are likely to remain a significant issue, potentially impacting his chances against Collins in the upcoming election. The scrutiny surrounding his remarks highlights the challenges candidates face when their past statements resurface, particularly in a politically charged environment.
According to The Washington Free Beacon, the controversy surrounding Platner’s comments has raised questions about his suitability for office and the implications of his views on military service.