President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Wednesday, calling him a “low-level thug” and questioning why Senate Democrats are standing by him amid a growing scandal.
“He’s worse than any human being that’s ever run for office probably,” Trump told reporters, targeting Platner, a progressive oyster farmer who easily won the Democratic primary Tuesday to challenge incumbent Republican Susan Collins.
Trump’s remarks come as Platner’s campaign reels from revelations of a sexting scandal and reports of misconduct with multiple ex-girlfriends. Platner has denied any physical roughness with former partners, but the allegations have rattled his bid for the Senate seat.
The president slammed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other top Democrats for not addressing the allegations. “You’ll have Schumer, he goes crazy over this or that or Epstein … this guy, why aren’t they talking about him?” Trump asked. “This guy’s got a rap sheet, I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s a low-level thug, and he’s running to be senator.”
Despite the controversy, Senate Democratic leaders, including Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who chairs the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, have publicly backed Platner. “In November, Maine voters will elect Graham Platner, and we will win a Senate majority,” they said in a joint statement.
The race in Maine is seen as a key battleground in the fight for Senate control. Collins, a moderate Republican, is seeking a fifth term in a state that has trended Democratic in recent years. Platner’s progressive platform and grassroots appeal initially energized the party, but the scandal has given Republicans ammunition.
Trump’s attack also appeared to be part of a broader strategy to paint Democrats as hypocritical on ethics. The president has previously taken aim at Democrats for their investigations into his administration, such as the probe led by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) into park fees used for Trump’s D.C. projects. Trump also recently signed a $70 billion border security bill after a narrow House win, signaling his focus on law-and-order messaging.
Political analysts note that Platner’s path to victory has narrowed significantly. “This is a gift for Collins and for Trump,” said one Maine-based strategist. “They can now tie Platner to the national Democratic brand at a time when voters are already skeptical of party leadership.”
The Platner campaign did not respond to requests for comment, but his team has previously dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign. With the general election months away, the scandal shows no signs of fading, and Trump’s intervention ensures it will remain in the national spotlight.
