Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner of Maine reportedly sought to distance himself on Thursday from a series of controversial posts he made on Reddit, in which he criticized police officers and rural white Americans, after CNN confronted him with the material.
Platner, who is challenging Republican Senator Susan Collins, labeled his own past rhetoric as unrepresentative of his current views.
CNN’s KFile uncovered posts from Platner’s Reddit account on forums including “AntiWork” dating from 2020 to 2021, revealing sharp criticisms of law enforcement and rural communities. In one post, Platner wrote, “F*** these cops,” adding, “Cops are bastards… All of them, in fact.” In another thread addressing a post titled “White people aren’t as racist or stupid as Trump thinks,” Platner commented, “Living in white rural America, I’m afraid to tell you they actually are.”
The posts also included broader political declarations. Platner referred to himself as a “communist” and a “psychedelics taking socialist,” reflecting a period of ideological experimentation. “I’m a vegetable growing, psychedelics taking socialist these days. After the war, I’ve pretty much stopped believing in any of the patriotic nonsense that got me there in the first place,” he wrote in one entry. “Still got the guns though, I don’t trust the fascists to act politely.” In another, he reflected on his disillusionment with America: “I did used to love America, or at least the idea of it. These days I’m pretty disgusted by it all.”
After being confronted with the posts, Platner moved swiftly to repudiate them, emphasizing his evolution since his online commentary. “I don’t think any of that is indicative of who I am today, really,” he told CNN. “I’m not a communist. I’m not a socialist. I own a small business. I’m a Marine Corps veteran.”
On the specific issue of his anti-police remarks, Platner described them as immature online behavior. “I can honestly say that that is me just being an a**hole on the Internet,” he said. “I have an immense amount of friends who are police officers. They’re not all bastards because they’re literally buddies of mine.”
The resurfacing of these posts places Platner in a politically precarious position, particularly as he seeks to appeal to Maine’s conservative-leaning electorate, where law enforcement and rural communities are significant constituencies.
His self-described shift from radical online commentary to a more mainstream Democratic profile underscores the challenges candidates face in reconciling youthful statements with current political ambitions.
Platner’s efforts to clarify his stance reflect a broader trend among progressive candidates who once embraced anti-establishment rhetoric but now seek to present a more centrist persona to voters.
In Maine, a state that has historically favored pragmatic, independent-minded politicians, the episode may test whether Platner can convince voters that his past online posts do not reflect his real-world judgment or values.
By framing his prior statements as the product of youthful indiscretion, Platner attempts to pivot the discussion to his service and entrepreneurial credentials. “I’m a Marine Corps veteran. I own a small business,” he said. “That’s really who I am today.” Whether Maine voters accept that narrative remains to be seen as the Senate race heats up.
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