Key facts
- Rep. Ro Khanna stated Graham Platner's past relationships were 'toxic and volatile.'
- Khanna argued Platner is taking accountability and deserves 'redemption.'
- Platner faces allegations of rape fantasies, heavy drinking, and violent episodes from ex-girlfriends.
- Platner has acknowledged controversial Reddit posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.
- Sen. Susan Collins called the latest allegations 'troubling' and said Platner has 'a lot of questions to answer.'
- Platner is running on an economically populist agenda, advocating for taxing billionaires and focusing on the working class.
Rep. Ro Khanna has acknowledged that Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's past relationships were 'toxic and volatile,' but argued that Platner is taking accountability for his past and 'we need that redemption in this country.' Khanna, a progressive leader from California who, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, is backing Platner, made these remarks in a Fox News Digital interview. Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee aiming to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, is facing multiple controversies. These include inflammatory online comments made on Reddit, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, and new allegations from ex-girlfriends detailing a history of rape fantasies, heavy drinking, and violent episodes. Collins herself described the latest allegations as 'troubling' and stated Platner has 'a lot of questions to answer.' Platner has apologized for his Reddit posts, attributing them to a dark period after returning from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and stated he found peace as an oyster farmer. He also explained the tattoo was acquired in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines and was covered up after he learned it resembled a Nazi symbol. Republican groups, including a super PAC aligned with Collins and the NRSC and RNC, have been critical of Platner, highlighting his controversies and questioning his populist claims. Khanna, however, agreed with Platner's economic policies, such as taxing billionaires and focusing on the working class.