The View co-host Sunny Hostin broke with her fellow panelists Tuesday by saying she still would have voted for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner despite new allegations of rape and assault that have intensified calls for him to end his campaign.
The discussion centered on accusations brought forward by Maine resident Jenny Racicot, who told Politico she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner roughly five years ago and alleged that he forced himself on her after entering her home without permission. Platner denied the allegations but also suggested that his Senate campaign may effectively be over.
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin argued the latest accusations were both “credible and corroborated” and said Platner should immediately withdraw from the race. Griffin added that she believed he should have stepped aside long before the newest allegations surfaced.
“She’s incredibly brave for coming forward, but my issue is this: Graham Platner should drop out, but I thought he should have dropped out at the Nazi tattoo,” Griffin said. She also cited what she described as Platner’s past actions, including defaming Purple Heart recipients and a fallen Navy SEAL, using homophobic slurs, making bigoted posts, and previously criticizing sexual assault victims.
Griffin further referenced another woman she said she has known for more than 15 years who accused Platner of what Griffin described as domestic violence during a previous relationship. She argued those allegations should have been enough to end his candidacy, adding that domestic violence “should be an absolute no.”
Co-host Joy Behar interrupted the discussion, saying she did not want to hear criticism from what she called the “Epstein protector party,” prompting several of the hosts to begin talking over one another.
Sara Haines then quoted author Maya Angelou, saying, “When someone shows who they are, believe them the first time.” Haines praised the courage it takes for sexual assault victims to come forward publicly and said she had already concluded Platner should not continue his campaign because of the previous controversies Griffin had outlined.
Haines also criticized what she described as a political culture in which voters overlook behavior based on party affiliation, arguing that those willing to “plug your nose” and support a candidate despite such allegations contribute to the problem.
Hostin quickly disagreed.
“Well, then I’m the problem, because I was one of those people,” Hostin said. “And I said it, if I lived in Maine I would have plugged my nose and would have voted for him anyway.”
Hostin argued that the country is facing what she described as an existential crisis and contrasted the approaches of the two major political parties, saying Republicans “fall in line” while Democrats often “fall in love.” She also said she believed Republicans have set “the bar” very low.
Hostin went on to reference Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, listing allegations and controversies she said surrounded his confirmation, including a drinking allegation, tattoo controversies, and a 2017 sexual assault allegation that Hegseth has said involved a consensual encounter. Hostin also noted that he paid $50,000 in 2020 to settle the woman’s claim.
Behar concluded by suggesting the controversy could benefit Democrats politically, noting that Platner and Sen. Susan Collins had been running closely and arguing Democrats needed to strengthen their position before the allegations emerged.
Despite their disagreements over political strategy and voting, the panel ultimately reached the same conclusion: Platner should step down from the race.
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