{"id":2611323,"date":"2026-06-05T22:23:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T02:23:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/at-rally-platner-shrugs-off-politically-motivated-and-false-accusations\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T22:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T02:24:41","slug":"at-rally-platner-shrugs-off-politically-motivated-and-false-accusations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/at-rally-platner-shrugs-off-politically-motivated-and-false-accusations\/","title":{"rendered":"At rally, Platner shrugs off \u2018politically motivated\u2019 and \u2018false&#8217; accusations"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fat-rally-platner-shrugs-off-politically-motivated-and-false-accusations%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2611323&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner tried to deflect a week of escalating controversies during a Friday get-out-the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/polling-average-republican-glenn-youngkin-leads-terry-mcauliffe-day-before-election\/\" title=\"Polling Average: Republican Glenn Youngkin Leads Terry McAuliffe Day Before Election\u00a0\">-vote rally<\/a> in Bar Harbor, calling the allegations \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d and saying Maine \u201chas his back\u201d as more details about his past resurface.<\/p>\n<p>the article notes that Platner has faced multiple new reports, including allegations of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-probe-congressional-sexual-misconduct-slush-fund\/\" title=\"Republicans probe congressional sexual misconduct \u2018slush fund\u2019\">sexually explicit texts<\/a> sent while married and claims from three women in a New York Times report involving alleged abusive or \u201ctoxic\u201d behavior. It also references an additional allegation that a previously covered-up tattoo was linked to Nazis, despite earlier denials.<\/p>\n<p>At the rally, endorsed Rep. Ro Khanna delivered a more careful message-acknowledging Platner\u2019s PTSD and military service while adding that no one should <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >excuse harmful past relationship behavior<\/a> and that no one should attack women who came forward. Khanna framed the moment around opposition to misogyny and emphasized respect for women.<\/p>\n<p>Despite continuing fallout, Platner is still expected to win the party\u2019s nomination on Tuesday. Gov. Janet Mills has reminded voters she remains on the ballot but is not actively campaigning. If Platner secures the nomination, he would face Sen. Susan Collins in the November general election.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"193\">Maine\u2019s<\/a> under-fire Democratic <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/graham-platner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22643\">Graham Platner<\/a> dismissed the mounting series of controversies rocking his campaign as \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d at a get-out-the-vote rally Friday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Platner\u2019s campaign is taking on water after being hit with a slew of troubling allegations this week. Republicans are pouring money into the campaign of his opponent, Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-collins\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1302\">Susan Collins<\/a> (R-ME), while a new poll shows his public image has cratered.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4597396\/watch-live-platner-ro-khanna-rally-amid-controversies\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>WATCH LIVE: Platner rallies with Ro Khanna for get-out-the-vote event as controversies mount<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596955\/guy-benson-rips-nyt-platner-story\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Guy Benson rips NYT over Platner story: Ex\u2019s claims were selectively reported<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596931\/the-clock-ticks-janet-mills-shadow-campaign\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The clock is ticking on Janet Mills\u2019s shadow campaign<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Friday, however, he aimed to shake off the week as he took to the stage in Bar Harbor to declare that Maine has his \u201cback\u201d when it comes to what he called the \u201cweaponized\u201d scandals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public, as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness of recovery and accountability and growth, Maine had my back. Now, as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated, and weaponized, you have my back,\u201d Platner said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at a campaign event Friday, June 5, 2026, in Bar Harbor, Maine. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen politically motivated, serious, and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back. The state of Maine raised me, and the state of Maine saved me. And to all of you out there, Maine, I will always have your back,\u201d Platner continued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These were the only comments Platner made onstage Friday directly addressing the scandals related to women in his life that had been at the top of news cycles this week. Over the weekend, news broke that Platner had previously sent sexually explicit texts to other women while married to his wife, Amy Gertner. As that news swirled, the <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/04\/us\/politics\/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html\">New York Times<\/a><\/em>  published the experiences of three women who dated Platner, detailing his alleged \u201cunsettling\u201d emotional abuse and toxic behavior. That report also alleged he knew that a now-covered-up tattoo he had was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3858840\/maine-senate-graham-platner-nazi-tattoo\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3858840\/maine-senate-graham-platner-nazi-tattoo\/\">associated with the Nazis<\/a>, despite protestations earlier in the campaign that he was oblivious.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">500+ in Bar Harbor with a VERY warm welcome for their next United States Senator.<\/p>\n<p>(Plus a hug from mom) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/G28T3rcwXi\">pic.twitter.com\/G28T3rcwXi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Morris Katz (@katz_morris) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/katz_morris\/status\/2063044075343765674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 5, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an MS Now interview on Thursday, Platner said the women\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596217\/graham-platner-women-abuse-allegations\/\">allegations were false<\/a>. One of the women who shared her story to the <em>New York Times<\/em>, however, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4596470\/platner-accuser-lyndsey-fifield-new-york-times-journalists-twisted-story-help-campaign\/\">slammed the article<\/a> as one that was \u201ctwisted\u201d into \u201ca gift to the Platner campaign,\u201d saying the reporters were \u201cviolating the trust of his victims.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-khanna-blasts-platner-s-toxic-and-volatile-past\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Khanna blasts Platner\u2019s \u2018toxic and volatile\u2019 past<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Supporters cheer for Platner at the Bar Harbor campaign event. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ro-khanna\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5039\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA), who has endorsed Platner, hosted the Friday night rally. While sharing the stage with Platner, he brought up Platner\u2019s PTSD and the effects of his Marine service in Iraq and Afghanistan but also maintained that \u201cno one should make excuses for his past relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo one should make excuses for his past relationships, some of which were toxic and volatile, and no one on our side should attack the women who came forward,\u201d Khanna said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The moment was a serious stump moment for Khanna, who gained much greater name recognition over the past year for championing the release of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/epstein-files\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17582\">Epstein files<\/a> in the House to get justice for the victims of convicted sex trafficker <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1860\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4596468\/republicans-pour-3-million-susan-collins-campaign-graham-platner-support-stalls\/\">BLOOD IN THE WATER: REPUBLICANS POUR $3 MILLION INTO SUSAN COLLINS CAMPAIGN AS GRAHAM PLATNER\u2019S SUPPORT STALLS AFTER SCANDALS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDemocrats believe in respecting the equality and the dignity of women, and we always will,\u201d Khanna said. \u201cAnd we reject, unequivocally, misogyny. We reject it. And you know, who else rejects it? Graham Platner. He understood that those years that he came back were not the best years of his life. He was ashamed of some of the things he said and did, and then he, unlike others, took accountability for it.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the mounting issues, Platner is still expected to win the party\u2019s nomination on Tuesday. Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), who earlier this year suspended her Senate campaign because she was trailing Platner by a wide margin, has reminded voters <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596931\/the-clock-ticks-janet-mills-shadow-campaign\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596931\/the-clock-ticks-janet-mills-shadow-campaign\/\">she is still on the ballot<\/a>, but she is not actively campaigning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Should Platner win, he will take on Collins in the November general election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner called campaign scandals \u201cpolitically motivated,\u201d as GOP cash surges for Susan Collins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2611324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26157015295203.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[8460,15554,55945,5894,4433],"class_list":["post-2611323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-accusations","tag-communication","tag-headlines-2","tag-politics","tag-rally"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26157015295203.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2611323"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611327,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611323\/revisions\/2611327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2611324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2611323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2611323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2611323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}