Michelle Goldberg regrets column praising Platner amid rape allegation

New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg said she “deeply” regretted a previous op-ed praising Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, writing that a rape allegation against him led her to conclude that a rape allegation against him appeared “much worse” than the online criticism he had previously dismissed.

Goldberg, who maintained a positive profile during Platner’s rise in Maine Democratic politics, revisited his assessment in a new column after Platner’s ex-girlfriend accused him of rape, an allegation he denied.

“I should not leave myself out when making the accusation,” Goldberg wrote. Monday column.

THE LAST DEMOCRATIC CLAIMING PLATNER CLAIMS THAT THE SENATE CANDIDATE ‘DEFINITELY’ RAPED HER

“last OctoberWhen stories about Platner’s tattoo and Reddit posts first emerged, I traveled to Maine to write about him. I tried to convey what I saw: a campaign that excited angry Maine voters. However, I deeply regret that I was impressed by Platner’s political charisma and wrote that he was ‘nothing like the fringe lord caricature I came across on the internet’. On the contrary, it looks much worse.”

On Monday, in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Jenny Racicot, who has previously made allegations against Platner, was asked if she thought Platner raped her, and Racicot responded, “By definition? Yes, absolutely.”

Racicot’s allegations were first detailed. Policy In the Monday report. During three interviews, she said Platner forced her to have sex with him against her will in 2021, which Platner denied. Platner “almost fainted” when the incident occurred, Racicot told Politico.

“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful with me,” Racicot told Politico. “I remember the moment when I thought to myself, ‘This is not my choice anymore.'”

TOP PLATNER ALLY BEATS HIM AFTER BOMB RAPE ALLEGED ROCKS CAMPAIGN: ‘RED LINE’

Graham Platner rejoices and gestures during his emphatic primary victory speech, which prepares him for the race against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg)

In June, New York Times He published a story containing allegations against Platner from women who had previously dated him, including Racicot.

Although Racicot mentioned his relationship with Platner in his Times article, he did not give details about the incident in 2021.

Goldberg also singled out Platner’s former political director, Genevieve McDonald, and wrote that McDonald tried to warn Democrats about him.

“When the first Platner scandals emerged, she resigned and became increasingly outspoken against him,” Goldberg wrote. “Progressive operatives painted him as a vindictive figure eager to curry favor with Maine’s political establishment. In retrospect, he looks much more like someone who took a profound professional risk to do the right thing. I can’t be the only one who regrets not taking him more seriously.”

EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL ATTACK ALLEGATION LOSTS PLATNER CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF IMPORTANT DEADLINE IN CRITICAL SENATE RACE

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner and his wife, Amy Gertner, wave to supporters as they arrive at Platner’s primary event on June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. (CJ Gunther/Getty Images)

He continued, “If there’s a lesson here, it might be about the importance of listening carefully to those who tell you things you don’t want to hear. Disgusted with their party’s failure to contain Donald Trump, many Democrats want representatives as angry as they are and no longer trust their leaders to tell them who can be elected. This opens up space for outsider candidates who wouldn’t have had a chance a few years ago. It also makes it easier for unsuitable characters to escape proper scrutiny.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Platner for comment.

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Fox News’ Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.