The troubling past comments and behavior of US Senate candidate Graham Platner, a Democrat from Maine, continue to surface as his campaign faces renewed scrutiny.

Following initial backlash over a tattoo he claimed depicted Nazi symbolism — which he later covered up after expressing regret in October 2025 — Platner has now drawn criticism for explicit Reddit posts he deleted in June 2019.

In one of those posts, which were archived on his “P-Hustle” account that he acknowledged as his own, Platner wrote: “This video never gets old,” referring to a viral video featuring Pfc. Ted Daniels in a 2012 firefight with the Taliban that resulted in the soldier being shot four times and earning a Purple Heart for his injuries. He added, “Dumb motherfucker didn’t deserve to live” and later stated, “At least his stupidity and fat ass wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt.”

Platner also claimed, “Poor marksmanship on the Taliban’s part is the only reason this mouthbreather made it home, he managed to make every possible shit decision possible when it comes to small unit combat.”

The posts sparked widespread condemnation online.

Platner became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee after Maine Gov. Janet Mills ended her campaign in April as she trailed behind him in polls. He has also received endorsements from independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Platner’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.