Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has disavowed a series of deleted Reddit posts where he made inflammatory comments, including describing himself as a communist and criticizing police, with the story breaking within the last 24 hours and potentially impacting his Democratic primary campaign.
Graham Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer running for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is facing scrutiny after CNN’s KFile uncovered now-deleted social media posts from his Reddit account under the handle P-Hustle. The posts, mostly from around 2021, were deleted ahead of his campaign launch in August, but their content has sparked controversy as he seeks to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. Platner’s online activity included raw and unvarnished views on politics, law enforcement, and American society, which contrast with his current campaign messaging.
In the deleted comments, Platner referred to himself as a “communist” in a 2021 thread on the r/Antiwork subreddit, responding to a discussion about aging and political views by stating, “I got older and became a communist.” He also expressed harsh criticism of police, calling officers “bastards” in a thread about police violence and asserting that misconduct is widespread within the profession. Additionally, he made derogatory remarks about rural White Americans, suggesting they are racist and stupid, and used offensive language like “retarded” to insult other users in debates over issues such as a Maine power-transmission project.
Platner disavowed these posts in an interview with CNN, attributing them to a period of personal disillusionment and anger. He described the comments as “me f**king around the internet” and emphasized that they do not reflect his current beliefs or character, stating, “I don’t want people to see me for who I was in my worst Internet comment.” He clarified that he is not a communist or socialist, noting his ownership of a small business and his Marine Corps background, and expressed regret for the inflammatory tone, while maintaining some underlying critiques of systemic issues.
The candidate’s military service in Iraq and Afghanistan shaped his earlier online rhetoric, with posts expressing disillusionment with America’s wars and describing how combat experiences radicalized him further left. He wrote about feeling “disgusted” by the country and the “horror” of war, though he now says he loves his community and believes in American ideals. Platner also condemned January 6 rioters in strong terms, calling them “traitors” and “f**king morons” for their role in the Capitol attack, a stance he stands by even as he disavows other comments.
Platner’s campaign has gained traction with significant fundraising, pulling in over $4 million since his August announcement, and an endorsement from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, positioning him as a progressive voice in the Democratic primary. He faces competition from established figures like Governor Janet Mills, and the revelation of his past posts could test his appeal in Maine, a state known for electing moderates. Other outlets, including Politico and The Hill, have reported on the story, with Platner not disputing the posts’ authorship but disavowing the violent rhetoric, highlighting the broader media attention.
As the Senate race progresses, Platner’s ability to address this controversy will be critical, with his disavowal aiming to reassure voters while he focuses on economic populism and fighting for working people. The incident underscores the challenges modern candidates face with digital footprints and the rapid dissemination of past online behavior in political campaigns.