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Republicans Decry Graham Platner’s Reddit Comments, $4M Attack Ads

5/21/2026

50 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Republican officials called Graham Platner’s resurfaced Reddit comments “disturbing” and questioned his fitness for office.
A super PAC supporting Senator Susan Collins spent $4 million on attack ads that highlighted Platner’s vulgar posts.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to comment on the posts.
Graham Platner apologized, called the remarks jokes, and urged voters to judge his present character.

History

Historical Context

After the 2016 release of Donald Trump’s Access Hollywood tape—sparking intense media coverage—2024 resurfacing of Graham Platner’s Reddit comments triggered a super-PAC attack supporting Senator Susan Collins. Both episodes echo a pattern where revived statements, amid a history of at least 28 women accusing Trump, reshape campaign narratives and spark costly battles.

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Story summary

Republican officials called Graham Platner’s resurfaced Reddit comments “disturbing” and questioned his fitness for office.
A super PAC supporting Senator Susan Collins spent $4 million on attack ads that highlighted Platner’s vulgar posts.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to comment on the posts.
Graham Platner apologized, called the remarks jokes, and urged voters to judge his present character.

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