Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Defends Controversial Reddit Posts as ‘Trolling’
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is under fire after admitting that old Reddit posts linked to him—containing inflammatory remarks on race, gender, and immigration—were intentionally offensive and meant to provoke reactions.
Offensive Reddit Posts Resurface
Opposition researchers uncovered posts from a since-deleted Reddit account tied to Platner. Among them:
- A comment mocking affirmative action policies
- A dismissive remark about sexual assault statistics
- A post labeling climate change concerns as “liberal hysteria”
Platner confirmed the posts were his but claimed they were satirical. “I was younger and engaged in trolling behavior,” he said. “It was about stirring the pot, not spreading hate.”
Voters and Opponents React
Criticism from Rivals
Democratic opponent Sara Gideon called the posts “disqualifying,” tweeting, “Maine deserves leaders who take serious issues seriously.”
Divided Public Opinion
- Critics: Portland resident Anika Patel said, “Even if it was just trolling, it shows poor judgment.”
- Supporters: Backer Mark Dobson argued, “The left is digging up old nonsense to smear him.”
The Digital Footprint Dilemma: Can Politicians Outrun Old Posts?
Political analyst Rhea Menon notes, “Social media archives don’t lie. Voters have a right to scrutinize a candidate’s past rhetoric.”
Platner’s campaign now faces an uphill battle—early polls already showed him trailing Gideon. His written apology called the posts “poor taste” but insisted they weren’t sincere.
Key Takeaways
- Platner’s explanation fuels debate over accountability for past online behavior.
- The scandal could sway Maine’s tight 2024 Senate race.
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