Maine Senate Candidate Platner Declines Apology Over 2019 Reddit Post

Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner declined to apologize to voters or to Pfc. Teddy Daniels when asked about a deleted 2019 Reddit post. The post, written under the username "P-Hustle," referred to video of Daniels during a 2012 firefight in which Daniels was shot four times and later awarded a Purple Heart.

Platner wrote that Daniels "didn’t deserve to live" and criticized his actions during the engagement.

Candidate Response Platner, a U.S.

He noted that several of his friends had received Purple Hearts. Fox News Digital asked Platner whether he owed Daniels an apology. Platner did not directly answer and instead referenced his own military service.

SEAL veteran Rob O’Neill said the comments were "completely barbaric" and contrary to the values instilled in service members. Daniels told Fox Business that people who make such statements online do not say them in person, calling Platner a coward.

Platner has previously apologized for other resurfaced posts, stating they do not reflect who he is today. He became the presumptive Democratic nominee after former Gov. Janet Mills ended her campaign last month. The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 9.

Platner will face Democrat David Costello for the nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.