Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner 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." Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, faced inquiries outside a market regarding his post, which mocked a video of Pfc. Ted Daniels, who was wounded in combat and awarded a Purple Heart. In response to whether he owed an apology to Daniels, Platner stated that any suggestion he disrespected veterans was "slanderous and offensive."
The post, which resurfaced this week, drew significant backlash online. In it, Platner described Daniels in derogatory terms and criticized his combat performance. Rob O’Neill, a U.S. Navy SEAL known for killing Osama bin Laden, condemned Platner's remarks, stating they were inappropriate and contrary to the values of military service. Platner has previously acknowledged his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and expressed regret for past incendiary comments, asking voters to judge him based on his current character.
Daniels responded to Platner's comments, labeling him a coward for making such statements online rather than confronting him directly. Platner is currently the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat, following the withdrawal of his rival, Governor Janet Mills. The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 9, where he will compete against David Costello for the chance to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.