Key facts
- Lyndsey Fifield accused The New York Times of softening abuse allegations against Graham Platner.
- Fifield claims the Times omitted corroboration from other women and evidence she provided.
- The Times also allegedly failed to mention Fifield's past confessions of abuse to friends.
- Voters in Maine expressed divided opinions on whether Platner's scandals would affect their primary vote.
- Platner faces allegations of heavy drinking, violent episodes, rape fantasies, explicit texts, and a Nazi-linked tattoo.
Lyndsey Fifield, an ex-girlfriend of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, has criticized The New York Times for allegedly softening her allegations of abuse, describing the coverage as a 'gift' to the Democrat's campaign. Fifield stated that after speaking to the Times about Platner's history, she claims the outlet failed to include corroboration from other women that she offered and omitted screenshots and other evidence she provided. She questioned why the article stated 'nobody could corroborate' when she had offered sources that could. Fifield also noted the absence of screenshots the Times had said they would use, and the failure to mention her support for local Democrats or her family's liberal leanings. The Times also did not include any mention that she had confided in multiple friends about Graham's abusive behavior over the years, long before he entered politics, and these friends confirmed they had spoken to the Times. Meanwhile, voters in Maine expressed divided opinions on whether the scandals surrounding Platner would affect their vote in the upcoming primary. Some voters, like Jeff and Sheila, believe the allegations and controversies, including reports of heavy drinking, violent episodes, rape fantasies, explicit texts, and a Nazi-linked tattoo, make him unfit for office. Others, like Ellen and Jane, remain unfazed, with Ellen stating she trusts Platner's wife and Jane indicating her voting plans haven't changed. Jessica stated she ignores the controversy, focusing on "the issues that are important." Platner will appear on the ballot alongside David Costello in Maine's Democratic Senate primary on June 9, with the winner advancing to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.