Archived Reddit posts from Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner show the first-time candidate praising explicit graffiti in military restrooms and making crude sexual comments about portable toilets, according to archived posts reviewed by Fox News Digital. The now-deleted posts, made under an account called "P-Hustle" that Platner previously acknowledged was his, date from 2017 to 2021.
Platner served three combat tours in Iraq with the Marines after enlisting in 2003 and completed a fourth tour with the Maryland Army National Guard in Afghanistan in 2010 as an infantryman. He returned to Afghanistan eight years later as a security contractor. The posts were made during this period of military service.
Platner has emerged as the Democrats' presumptive Senate nominee in Maine after his rival for the nomination, two-term Gov. Janet Mills, ended her campaign last month.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have seized on the posts to question Platner's fitness for statewide office. Mehek Cooke, a GOP strategist and senior national security and legal analyst for the Daily Signal, told Fox News Digital that a "years-long trail of vulgar, sexually degrading commentary is a character issue" rather than an isolated lapse in judgment. "His campaign has been built around authenticity and moral seriousness. These posts undercut both," Cooke said. "Platner is not a truth-teller. He is someone whose instincts appear crude, reckless, and deeply unserious."
Cooke argued that the decision to delete the posts undermines Platner's defense that they were humor. "If they were really 'jokes,' why delete the posts? That sounds less like humor and more like a CYA cleanup operation," she said. The Republican National Committee is expected to incorporate the resurfaced content into broader attacks on Platner's temperament as the general election approaches, particularly given his likely matchup against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters have defended Platner, with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont publicly backing the candidate amid the controversy. When previously asked about his controversial Reddit activity, Platner told Fox News Digital that comments should be read in context and that he was clearly joking. "It's called s***posting," he said. "It's when you argue with people on the internet and try to bother them. So, yeah, no, it's very obviously not true." Sanders has continued to stand by Platner as his campaign positions him as a progressive alternative in the race.
Democratic allies point to Platner's military service record as evidence of his character, noting he enlisted in 2003 and completed four deployments across two branches of the armed forces. The candidate has also framed his online commentary as part of a broader culture of gallows humor among veterans. His campaign has not issued additional statements beyond his initial defense that the posts were jokes taken out of context.
What the Numbers Show
Platner became the Democrats' presumptive nominee after Gov. Janet Mills ended her campaign following polling and fundraising data showing him leading the two-term governor. The posts were accessed through the Maine Monitor's archive and have not been previously reported by other outlets. The candidate has faced prior scrutiny over additional Reddit posts, including a 2013 comment about rape prevention that he later deleted and statements describing himself as a "communist" and "socialist." His campaign had not issued a new statement as of publication deadline.
Cooke acknowledged that the controversy may not alienate all Democratic voters but argued it will matter in a general election against Collins. "Will every Democrat in Maine care? No," she said. "But in a general election, especially against Susan Collins, the cumulative effect of his stances, controversies, and comments matters."
The Bottom Line
The resurfaced posts represent an escalating challenge for Platner as he transitions from primary candidate to likely general election nominee. His defense that the comments were jokes has been met with skepticism from Republican critics who note the years-long pattern of vulgar content and question why posts would be deleted if they were simply humor. Sanders and progressive allies have maintained their support, betting that Maine voters will focus on policy contrasts with Collins rather than online commentary. Republicans are expected to continue highlighting the posts as evidence of poor judgment ahead of what is anticipated to be a competitive Senate race in a state that has shown bipartisan tendencies.