Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, did not apologize to voters or a Purple Heart recipient when questioned about a deleted Reddit post in which he stated that the wounded soldier "didn’t deserve to live." The post referenced a video of Pfc. Ted Daniels, who was shot four times during a clash with Taliban fighters in 2012. When asked about the post, Platner initially did not respond but later stated, "I did four tours in the infantry, any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive." He acknowledged owning the Reddit account from which the post originated, which he made in June 2019. The post has drawn significant criticism, with many veterans, including U.S. Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, condemning his remarks. O’Neill stated, "Mr. Platner was way out of line talking about a soldier that way," emphasizing the importance of camaraderie among soldiers regardless of political views. Platner has previously expressed remorse for incendiary posts linked to his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pfc. Daniels responded to Platner's comments, labeling him a coward for making such statements online. Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat, with the primary election scheduled for June 9.
Why this rating? · 10 signals
Signals flagged in the original
- loaded language: 'mocking'
- loaded language: 'didn't deserve to live'
- loaded language: 'dumb motherf-----'
- loaded language: 'fat a-- wheezing'
- loaded language: 'mouthbreather'
- loaded language: 'barbaric'
- framing: headline asserting a conclusion
- framing: selective emphasis on negative aspects of Platner's past
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Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Responds to Controversial Reddit Post
Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, faced backlash for a deleted Reddit post mocking a wounded soldier. He declined to apologize when questioned about the post, which has drawn criticism from veterans, including U.S. Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill. Platner is the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Senate primary, set for June 9.
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Bias Analysis
Bias Indicators Removed
- ✕ loaded language: 'mocking'
- ✕ loaded language: 'didn't deserve to live'
- ✕ loaded language: 'dumb motherf-----'
- ✕ loaded language: 'fat a-- wheezing'
- ✕ loaded language: 'mouthbreather'
- ✕ loaded language: 'barbaric'
- ✕ framing: headline asserting a conclusion
- ✕ framing: selective emphasis on negative aspects of Platner's past
- ✕ editorializing: Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, sparked significant outrage online
- ✕ vague attribution: critics have said, sparked significant outrage online
Original vs. Neutral
WATCH: Platner doesn't apologize to Purple Heart recipient, voters when confronted on post mocking soldier
Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Responds to Controversial Reddit Post