Senate Dem candidate who wrote he ‘became a communist’ now says he was joking
In a surprising turn of events, Maine Democrat Graham Platner, who is vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Susan Collins in 2026, has come under scrutiny for past Reddit posts where he referred to himself as a “communist.” The posts, which were made between 2020 and 2021 and have since been deleted, included a remark stating, “I got older and became a communist.” In a recent interview with NBC News, Platner clarified that these statements were meant as “internet s—posting,” and he emphasized that his beliefs align with progressive ideals such as Medicare-for-all, workers’ rights, and taxing the ultra-rich. He acknowledges that such views may lead people to label him as a communist, but he insists that these labels are part of the joke.
Platner’s past comments have sparked considerable backlash, particularly when he described rural White voters as “stupid and racist.” In his defense, he explained that he is a rural White voter himself and often advocates for his community. He attributed his earlier remarks to a time of personal struggle and isolation, stating, “I was looking for interaction and engagement… I do not hold those feelings.” His campaign has also faced challenges due to the revelation of a controversial tattoo resembling the Totenkopf, a symbol associated with Hitler’s SS forces. Despite the tumult, Platner remains resolute, claiming that his campaign is stronger than ever, even as some staff members have stepped down in light of the controversies. He expressed a desire to share his personal growth and evolution, advocating for a society that allows for change and forgiveness.
In the face of mounting criticism, Platner’s determination to continue his campaign reflects a broader theme of resilience in political landscapes. He believes that the trials he has faced have galvanized his remaining supporters, stating, “We find ourselves now in a significantly stronger position.” As he navigates the complexities of public perception and personal accountability, Platner’s journey underscores the challenges candidates face in a hyper-connected world where past actions can resurface and influence current aspirations. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of growth and the potential for redemption in the political arena.
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Maine Democrat
Graham Platner now says he was “joking” in years-old Reddit posts where he identified himself as a “communist.”
Platner, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., in 2026, published the now-deleted Reddit posts between 2020 and 2021. In one of the posts, he wrote, “I got older and became a communist,” but he now claims it was merely “internet s—posting.”
“I believe in Medicare-for-all. I believe in expanding the rights of workers to organize. I believe in taxing the ultra-rich. I believe in a fairer economic system,” he
told NBC News
on Sunday. “I also know that because I believe in those things, people will refer to me as that no matter what… That’s the joke.”
He went on to explain away other posts he made at the time in which he described rural White voters as “stupid and racist.”
MAINE DEM SENATE HOPEFUL BACKED BY BERNIE SANDERS APOLOGIZES FOR NAZI-STYLE TATTOO, VOWS TO STAY IN RACE
“I did get in a fight with somebody and say that some rural White voters were stupid and racist,” he told the outlet. “I myself am a rural White voter in eastern Maine. These are my neighbors and my friends. I actually rise to their defense often and continue to do so.”
“I don’t want to be flippant about it, but I was getting in arguments on the Internet … at a part in my life when I was looking for interaction and engagement, at a time where I was feeling quite isolated and alone and very disillusioned at that point,” he added. “I do not hold those feelings.”
The internet posts were only one avenue of criticism Platner has faced in recent weeks. He also faced a whirlwind of backlash after photos revealed that he had a
tattoo depicting the Totenkopf
used by Hitler’s SS paramilitary forces.
BERNIE SANDERS DEFENDS MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE UNDER FIRE FOR REDDIT COMMENTS
Platner weathered calls for him to withdraw for
the race
, and a number of his top campaign staffers bowed out under the pressure. Nevertheless, he now claims his campaign is strong as ever.
“It is amusing for me to watch the campaign described in the media as collapsing or falling apart — when internally, we frankly have not felt this strong since the beginning,” Platner told NBC News. “It hasn’t sunk my campaign. In fact it seems, in many ways, it’s strengthened us.”
“I want to talk about my evolution as a human being,” he said. “A lot of Americans also want to have hope that you can change and that you can evolve, and that we can have a society that gives grace and forgiveness to people. Because if we can’t, if we think that people are just ossified into who they are right now, and can never be something different, then what’s the point?”
“We find ourselves now in a significantly stronger position, team-wise,” he said. “While we lost some people, we’ve kept almost everybody, and people that have stayed are galvanized and committed.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
