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‘F—ING IDIOTS’: Top female operatives torch Platner enablers as rape allegation rocks Dem campaign
Dems flee Graham Platner campaign after new allegations
Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams details the deepening crisis for Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Plattner, now facing calls from Bernie Sanders to withdraw after a former girlfriend accused Plattner of rape in 2021, adding to existing controversies like a Nazi tattoo and previous physical abuse allegations. Contributor Jason Chaffetz reacts to the political fallout after Platner lost key endorsements following the allegations.
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Neera Tanden and Shannon Watts, a pair of top Democratic political operatives, are calling on Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to step down amid a bombshell rape allegation that emerged Monday.
Tanden, the CEO of the Center for American Progress, a center-left think tank that had deep ties to the Biden and Obama administrations, has been critical of Platner for months.
«I will remain incredibly angry at the people who didn’t vet this candidate, but in life you don’t get the best choices. Unless people show a lot more courage than they have,» Tanden said in an X post that was re-upped Monday.
TOP PLATNER ALLY TURNS ON HIM AFTER BOMBSHELL RAPE ALLEGATION ROCKS CAMPAIGN: ‘RED LINE’
Neera Tanden, nominee for director of the Office and Management and Budget, testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee on her nomination during a hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 9, 2021. (Leigh Vogel/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
In addition to calling for his removal, Tanden and Watts are also strongly cautioning the party about its next move as the state nears the Nov. 3 general election.
Platner, who has fended off stories about a Nazi tattoo, past online comments on race and relational infidelity, came under renewed fire Monday afternoon when Politico reported that he had allegedly raped a former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, while heavily intoxicated after allegedly being told repeatedly to stop.
She also went on CNN Monday evening shortly after the report was published to tell host Jake Tapper that «by dictionary definition» Platner «raped» her.
«I thought, here’s a man who was drunk and who, by dictionary definition, raped me. And he’s blaming drunk women,» Racicot said. «So, I just felt like that was a very odd take to have on that. And I also feel like, with all of the comments that he made about women, sexual assault, rape, even, um, you know, the comments that he had made that was in The New York Times article about, you know, threatening people with rape, like, why does this person have this issue, like scattered throughout their life, throughout their commentary, like it‘s on their mind?»
Platner has denied the allegations, calling them «troubling, serious, and false.»
The Platner campaign posted a video on X shortly after the Politico story published where Platner again called the allegations «false,» adding he was going to «reflect» on the best path forward.
«So, regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins,» Platner says in the video. «Those were the goals when we launched this campaign, and they remain my goals today.»
Watts, who has grown in prominence through advocacy with her gun control organization, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, immediately highlighted the story, criticizing party figures who, in her view, had blown past warning signs about Platner’s behavior.
«MAYBE LISTEN TO WOMEN IN THE PARTY YOU F—— IDIOTS!!!!» Watts wrote in a post on X.
«Who endorsed him despite the fact that he said bigoted, racist and sexist things online? Despite his Totenkopf tattoo? Despite accusations of domestic assault? Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ruben Gallego, Martin Heinrich, Ro Khanna. Who am I missing?» Watts added.
EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION ROCKS PLATNER CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF KEY DEADLINE IN CRUCIAL SENATE RACE
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner stand together during a Fighting Oligarchy tour stop at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus in Orono, Maine, May 24, 2026. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
With the state Democratic Party calling on Platner to step aside, Watts wasted little time setting her sights on a possible replacement.
She began striking out against letting someone like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., handpick an alternative.
«Bernie Sanders — the worst judge of character in history — hasn’t yet condemned the fatally flawed candidate he forced upon the Dem Party in Maine, likely causing us to lose the Senate. Why? He’s going to try and hold us hostage until we pick his other sh—- candidate,» Watts wrote, likely referring to Troy Jackson, another progressive in the state.
Notably, Sanders dropped his endorsement of Platner on Tuesday and called on Platner to drop out of the race.
Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, faces allegations of his own, having reportedly gotten into a physical altercation with a female colleague, according to Progressive Victory, an advocacy group.
«So no, we’re not going to pick this f—— guy,» Watts wrote in another post, highlighting Progressive Victory’s statement on Jackson.
Tanden also hinted at her disapproval at the idea of swapping Platner out with another up-and-coming progressive.
«Isn’t the most democratic thing to do here is select the candidate who won the most votes in the Gov’s race? I think they were all pretty good, but that might be the most credible with voters,» Tanden wrote.
Like Watts, Tanden criticized voices suggesting Jackson might be a suitable alternative.
SANDERS BREAKS SILENCE ON PLATNER, CALLS ON SCANDAL-PLAGUED PROGRESSIVE TO ‘STEP ASIDE’
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at his primary election event June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. (CJ Gunther/Getty Images)
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«Maybe the people who got us into this mess should take a beat on the right path for the future. And I say that with the utmost respect to Ro Khanna,» Tanden said, highlighting a post from Khanna that noted Jackson’s achievements just hours after the news about Platner had broken.
Khanna, who had fiercely supported Platner, rescinded his endorsement on Monday along with several other high-profile Democrats, who are calling on Platner to drop out of the race.
politics, graham platner, bernie sanders
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Comienzan en Irak las procesiones fúnebres de Ali Khamenei en medio de una nueva escalada entre Estados Unidos e Irán
Miles de personas participaron este miércoles en la ciudad iraquí de Najaf de la procesión que acompaño el féretro del líder supremo iraní, Ali Khamenei, en una ceremonia que forma parte de los seis días de homenajes públicos organizados por Irán tras su muerte. El acto se desarrolló en medio de una nueva escalada militar entre Irán y Estados Unidos en el estrecho de Ormuz.
Las autoridades iraquíes decretaron feriado nacional para facilitar las ceremonias, que comenzaron a las 6:00 de la mañana, hora local, en la ciudad considerada uno de los principales centros del islam chiita. Un amplio operativo de seguridad custodió el recorrido, mientras miles de personas ocuparon las calles y muchas intentaron acercarse al camión que transportó el féretro para tocarlo durante el trayecto.
La procesión llegó hasta el santuario del imán Ali, yerno del profeta Mahoma y primer imán del chiismo, donde decenas de clérigos rezaron ante el ataúd antes de continuar el traslado hacia la ciudad de Karbala.
Los homenajes en Irak forman parte del cronograma establecido por Teherán para despedir a Khamenei, quien murió el 28 de febrero durante los ataques lanzados por Estados Unidos e Israel, en los que también fallecieron varios integrantes de su familia. Según las autoridades iraníes, las ceremonias comenzaron el sábado y reservaron una jornada especial para Irak, país que alberga los principales santuarios del islam chiita y mantiene estrechos vínculos religiosos y políticos con la República Islámica.
El martes por la noche, funcionarios iraquíes y dirigentes políticos recibieron los restos de Khamenei en el aeropuerto internacional de Najaf. Del acto participaron el presidente iraní, Masoud Pezeshkian, y Mostafa Khamenei, hijo mayor del fallecido líder.
En cambio, Mojtaba Khamenei, designado como nuevo líder supremo poco después de la muerte de su padre, no apareció en público desde su nombramiento y solo difundió comunicados escritos.
La despedida de Khamenei en Irak coincidió con una nueva escalada militar en el estrecho de Ormuz. Estados Unidos informó que atacó decenas de objetivos iraníes en respuesta a los ataques atribuidos a Teherán contra tres embarcaciones en esa zona estratégica para el comercio mundial de petróleo.
Por su parte, la Guardia Revolucionaria iraní sostuvo que alcanzó instalaciones militares estadounidenses en Baréin y Kuwait como parte de la respuesta a las operaciones de Washington.
Tras la ceremonia en Najaf, el féretro será trasladado por vía aérea a Karbala, situada a unos 60 kilómetros al norte, donde otra multitud acompañará el recorrido hasta los santuarios del imán Hussein y de su hermano Abbas, dos de los lugares más sagrados para los fieles chiitas.
El entierro definitivo de Khamenei está previsto para este jueves en Mashhad, su ciudad natal, ubicada en el noreste de Irán.
Durante la procesión en Najaf, numerosos fieles llegaron desde distintas provincias iraquíes para participar de la ceremonia. Mohammed al-Bayati, un iraquí de 30 años que viajó durante varias horas para asistir al acto, afirmó: “Es una oportunidad que no se puede perder para participar en el funeral de la persona que desafió el poder de Estados Unidos e Israel”.
Najaf ocupa un lugar central dentro del islam chiita. La ciudad alberga los principales seminarios religiosos y también la residencia del gran ayatollah Ali Sistani, máxima autoridad religiosa chiita de Irak. Además, numerosos clérigos estudiaron o enseñaron allí, entre ellos el ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, fundador de la República Islámica y antecesor de Ali Khamenei.
A lo largo de las rutas de ambas procesiones, cientos de puestos administrados por voluntarios distribuyeron alimentos y bebidas a quienes participaron de las ceremonias.
El jefe de la Fuerza Quds de la Guardia Revolucionaria, Esmail Qaani, destacó la organización del homenaje y sostuvo, según los medios estatales iraníes: “La amplia planificación de este acontecimiento histórico por parte del gobierno y del pueblo iraquí muestra al mundo la profundidad del vínculo espiritual entre las dos grandes naciones de Irak e Irán”.
La relación entre ambos países atravesó etapas muy diferentes. Durante la década de 1980, el entonces presidente iraquí Saddam Hussein enfrentó militarmente a Irán en una guerra que se prolongó durante ocho años. Sin embargo, tras la caída de Saddam en 2003, ambos países fortalecieron sus relaciones políticas y religiosas bajo los sucesivos gobiernos dominados por partidos chiitas en Bagdad.
En la actualidad, Irán mantiene influencia sobre dirigentes políticos y grupos armados iraquíes. Algunas de esas organizaciones participaron en el conflicto regional tras la muerte de Khamenei y lanzaron ataques contra instalaciones estadounidenses en territorio iraquí.
(Con información de AFP)
Domestic Politics,Religion,War,Middle East,Government / Politics,Religion / Belief,Military Conflicts
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Dem with White House ambitions ripped after backing two scandal-plagued candidates: ‘Troubling’
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Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who has left the door open to a 2028 presidential run, is facing new questions about his judgment after rescinding support for a second Democratic candidate accused of misconduct involving women.
Gallego rescinded his endorsement of Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner on Monday after a rape allegation surfaced. The move comes just months after Gallego pulled his support from Eric Swalwell’s disastrous California gubernatorial bid amid separate allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Both Platner and Swalwell have denied the allegations against them. In a social media post on X announcing he would be withdrawing his support for Platner, Gallego called the accusations against Platner «troubling and deeply serious.»
Meanwhile, Lyndsey Fifield, Platner’s former girlfriend who has publicly accused Platner of abusive behavior, called out Gallego after the Arizona senator withdrew his Platner endorsement Monday, suggesting Gallego had ample warning signs before finally abandoning the embattled Maine Democrat.
DEM SENATOR FACES DOJ PROBE AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF SPENDING CAMPAIGN FUNDS ON LUXURY LIFESTYLE
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. (Getty Images)
«Mine weren’t sufficiently troubling or serious for you, right?» Fifield wondered in response to a social media post on X from Gallego, referring to the accounts of her relationship with Platner provided to The New York Times and published several weeks ago.
Fifield’s allegations were included in a June 4 New York Times report examining Platner’s past relationships in which she alleged that he repeatedly grabbed her hard enough to leave marks, pulled her from a cab by the wrist and, in one incident, twisted her arm behind her back and held her in a room while they were dating several years ago. Fifield told the Times Platner never hit or punched her but said the alleged incidents left her shaken and afraid. Platner denied being violent and called the allegations false.
Still, Platner drew support from influential Democratic figures before and after the Times report. «Pod Save America» co-host Jon Lovett acknowledged after the June 4 story that the Times had reported allegations that Platner was «intimidating and even physically aggressive with past romantic partners» but argued Democrats had to weigh whether they preferred «a Democratic majority with Graham Platner in the Senate» or a Republican majority with incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
TOP PLATNER ALLY TURNS ON HIM AFTER BOMBSHELL RAPE ALLEGATION ROCKS CAMPAIGN: ‘RED LINE’
Fellow co-host Jon Favreau had previously praised Platner as Democrats’ «best and only chance» to beat Collins and as a «good, decent man who’s struggled and grown and is always trying to do better.»
Graham Platner, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for Maine, during a primary election night event at the Blue Hill YMCA in Blue Hill, Maine, June 9, 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Senator Gallego did the right thing and broke with those individuals when he learned they had betrayed values he proudly fights for,» a Gallego spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
But Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said people like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., needed to apologize for backing Platner, telling Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that he «refused» early on to look past the claims.
«What he did is he effectively broke in her home – he went in her home without her consent, then he came upstairs and assaulted her. She also described that created a dangerous situation for a possible pregnancy because of those circumstances, what he’s done,» Fetterman said of the latest allegations.
DEMS UPHILL CLIMB FOR SENATE MAJORITY JUST GOT A LOT STEEPER WITH LATEST PLATNER ALLEGATION
«He was already a dead man walking politically,» Fetterman continued. «Even those ‘Pod Save America’ people who pushed that dirtbag — and they dismissed those things in The New York Times article — maybe they ought to apologize to the women that clearly they didn’t believe or they dismissed.
«I know Democrats that have back-to-back endorsed and gone all in on Swalwell and were on the Platner train as well too. So, maybe stop getting in bed with absolute dirtbags, someone like Platner.»
A Fox News Digital review of public endorsement announcements and press reports found Gallego was the only sitting member of Congress clearly identified as having endorsed both Swalwell and Platner. Separate state and local affiliates within the SEIU and AFL-CIO labor union networks were involved in each race, but they were not the same endorsing entities.
Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine Graham Platner (left) and former Democratic Party Rep. Eric Swalwell (right) (Getty Images)
«The allegations against Platner are awful but are also unsurprising to anyone who actually read the NYT catch-and-kill story. The victim strongly implied the allegations there,» former chief counsel to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, Mike Fragoso, said this week after the latest round of allegations against Platner.
The latest allegation came from Jenny Racicot, a Maine Democrat who said she dated Platner on and off from 2019 to 2021 and had previously spoken to the Times for its June story. Racicot alleged in a Monday Politico report that Platner entered her home uninvited in late 2021 after she told him not to come over, was intoxicated, ignored her repeated objections and forced her to have sex.
Politico reported that it reviewed text messages and emails with Racicot’s therapist and spoke with people she said she confided in after the alleged assault. Platner has once again denied the allegation as false.
HOW GRAHAM PLATNER’S CAMPAIGN UNRAVELED: FROM REDDIT POSTS TO RAPE ALLEGATION
Gallego joined several other prominent Democrats after the Politico report in rescinding support for Platner or calling on him to exit the race, while Democratic operatives face a tight window under Maine election law to replace him if he withdraws.
«Gallego’s judgment is troubling,» Republican Arizona state Sen. Warren Peterson said. «Another Gallego endorsement going down in flames.»
«There is a bizarre pattern of Gallego, who claimed complete ignorance of his friend Eric Swalwell’s alleged abusive treatment of women and is now doing the same with Graham Platner,» said Jonathan Turley, a Fox News Media contributor and George Washington University law professor.
«For Schumer’s PAC, Senatorial, Gallego, the Pod Bros, et al. the only real difference now is polling,» Fragoso said of the changing sentiment toward Platner.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., talks to reporters as he heads for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Jun. 1, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky took aim at Gallego’s personal history, writing on X, «Ruben Gallego is dropping Graham Platner like he’s a pregnant wife.»
The jab comes as Gallego has also faced separate scrutiny in reference to his 2016 divorce from wife Kate Gallego, who was pregnant at the time.
Unsealed divorce records reportedly showed that Gallego filed for divorce on Dec. 15, 2016, and that his own motion to seal the case noted Kate Gallego had «not yet been served» but was «likely to give birth any day.»
In addition to scrutiny over his divorce, Gallego has faced complaints over his campaign spending on family travel, childcare and other personal expenses. A week ago, Politico reported that Gallego used campaign money on family trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World and Chicago. He also used funds to attend the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, but the senator insisted that the tickets were a legitimate campaign fundraising expense.
Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca and Katelyn Caralle contributed to this report.
graham platner, eric swalwell, democratic party, democrats elections, senate elections, maine, elections
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