Graham Platner calls rape fantasy allegations politically motivated

BAR PORT, Maine – Facing arguably the toughest stretch yet of his campaign for the US Senate, Democratic candidate Graham Platner thanked a large crowd of supporters on his home turf for having his back and suggested the firestorm he received was “politically motivated”.

Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer who is aiming to unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in this year’s midterm elections, is playing defense amid a litany of controversies, from incendiary online comments on Reddit (a well-publicized and now-covered tattoo on his chest that resembles a Nazi symbol) to new allegations this week from ex-girlfriends about a history of rape fantasies, heavy drinking and violence.

“Ten years ago, when the hurtful things I said online became public when I shared my personal journey with post-traumatic stress disorder and the darkness of recovery, responsibility and growth. Maine had my back,” Platner said at a rally on Friday. “Now, when every piece of that history and journey is being dug up and prosecuted and weaponized, you have my back. And when politically motivated, serious and unfounded accusations are made against me. Maine, you have my back.”

Collins, a moderate Republican who has at times voted against President Donald Trump’s agenda, is running for a sixth six-year term in the Senate in left-leaning Maine; This is one of a handful of races across the country that will determine whether Republicans retain control of their slim Senate majority.

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Backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, Platner is pushing an economically populist agenda while targeting corporate influences and working-class advocates.

Longtime Senate Democratic Leader Sen. He is considered the definitive Democratic nominee after two-term Gov. Janet Mills, backed by Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Party establishment, dropped out of the race earlier this spring after significantly outpacing Platner in fundraising and polling.

Platner, who has acknowledged struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder during multiple tours of duty in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, apologized for controversial Reddit posts that made headlines last fall, just after he launched his Senate campaign.

Platner said he got his skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007 while drinking with fellow sailors serving in Croatia. He said he covered up the tattoo with a new design last year after learning it resembled a Nazi symbol. But the new allegations raise questions about the timeline of Platner’s knowledge of the tattoo.

Friday’s rally, which included speeches from progressive gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson and congressional challenger Matt Dunlap, was organized by Khanna.

In an interview with Fox News Digital before taking the stage, Khanna was asked whether he was concerned about whether the current allegations and potential future allegations could sink Platner’s campaign and hurt Democrats’ hopes of winning back the Senate.

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Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner stand together during the “Fighting the Oligarchy” tour at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus on May 24, 2026 in Orono, Maine. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“I’m more concerned about making it clear that we stand against misogyny, that these relationships are toxic and volatile, there’s no excuse for it,” Khanna said. “I spoke to Graham and he said he was in a very dark time, returning from two tours of duty in Iraq as an infantryman who had seen violence and death. That doesn’t excuse him.”

But Khanna added that Platner had said, “He really flourished as a person when he came back to Maine, he was an oyster farmer, he found peace, and he’s ashamed of that period. To me, that means someone taking responsibility and improving their life, and we need that redemption in this country. And I agree with a lot of his economic policies, which is that we should tax the billionaires, focus on the working class.”

Collins, who returned to Maine on Friday after a busy week on Capitol Hill in which she reached a milestone of 10,000 consecutive votes in the Senate, was asked by reporters about the latest allegations facing Platner.

“The allegations in the latest story are concerning,” Collins responded. “And I believe Graham Platner has many questions to answer.”

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Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine tours a food bank on May 5, 2026, in Harrison, Maine. The food bank was able to expand thanks to federal funding the senator helped obtain. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)

Meanwhile, an outside political group allied with the senator is also criticizing Platner and running ads highlighting many of his controversies.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) targeted Platner in a post on social media after Friday’s rally.

“Graham Platner says his violent and volatile past has been ‘weaponized’ against him.” The RNC investigative team pointed to new allegations against the candidate, saying about X that Platner would rape someone to show his superiority and that “rape is about power.”

Mills stated in a recent interview that his name remained on the ballot. And a source in his broader political orbit confirmed to Fox News that amid Platner’s controversy, the governor has received calls encouraging him to return to the race. However, there is no active campaign work on behalf of Mills.

Asked about Mills, Khanna told Fox News Digital: “The great thing about democracy is that you can go full steam ahead, run unceremoniously like Janet Mills, keep your name on that campaign. That’s why I love American democracy.”

But he predicted: “Platner will prevail. We must unite and understand that our goal is to defeat Susan Collins. And everyone from Schumer to Sanders is united around that goal.”

Platner’s campaign said more than 600 people packed the theater to attend the rally in this resort town next to Acadia National Park, not far from the candidate’s hometown of Sullivan. And they announced that they had raised $200,000 in fundraising in the last 24 hours; They said it was the strongest fundraising day since Mills suspended his campaign.

Maine voters Fox News Digital spoke to ahead of the rally were split on whether Platner’s arguments would affect their views of the candidate.

Jeff, of Waterboro, Maine, pointed to Platner and said “this is not a good situation.” “I think he’s someone who shouldn’t be in the mix. I’m a conservative, but he’s taken so much damage that if the Democrats want to win, they’re going to have to find someone else. He’s not the guy. This is too much.”

“A perfect person? Absolutely not,” said Ellen of Acton, Maine, who said she is a registered Republican.

But he added, “I think he’ll come in and do a good job.”