Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner sparked outrage after refusing to apologize for a deleted Reddit post in which he said a Purple Heart recipient “didn’t deserve to live.” The post resurfaced recently, drawing widespread criticism from veterans and the public.
The Controversial Post
The post, made in June 2019 using Platner’s Reddit account “P-Hustle,” mocked a video of Pfc. Ted Daniels, who was shot four times during a 2012 clash with Taliban fighters and awarded a Purple Heart. In the post, Platner wrote:
“Dumb motherf—– didn’t deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat a– wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt. Poor marksmanship on the Taliban’s part is the only reason this mouthbreather made it home.”
Platner has acknowledged owning the account but declined to issue a direct apology when asked by Fox News Digital, citing his service as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran:
“I did four tours in the infantry, any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive.”
Response From Veterans
The post drew criticism from numerous veterans, including Rob O’Neill, the Navy SEAL credited with killing Usama bin Laden:
“Mr. Platner was way out of line talking about a soldier that way. This is completely barbaric… Politics goes out the window. And to wish ill on someone like that under fire is… the opposite of everything I’ve been raised to believe.”
Pfc. Daniels also responded, telling Fox Business:
“People like this don’t say stuff like this to my face. It’s online, and that right there tells me, Graham, you’re a coward.”
Platner Cites PTSD and Past Apologies
Platner has publicly discussed his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to explain controversial social media posts that have emerged since he announced his Senate run. In October, he offered a general apology for previous posts, saying:
“For those of you who have read these things and been offended… I am deeply sorry. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today.”
Despite this prior apology, he did not specifically apologize for the post about Daniels.
Public Reaction
Observers and political analysts have widely criticized Platner for his failure to take accountability for comments disparaging a fellow service member. Veterans’ groups and social media users have emphasized that respect among military members should transcend politics.
