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Platner supporter Khanna calls Senate hopeful’s past relationships ‘toxic,’ but says he deserves ‘redemption’
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BAR HARBOR, Maine – Graham Platner’s past relationships were «toxic and volatile,» Rep. Ro Khanna of California says of the Senate Democratic candidate aiming to unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of this year’s most crucial ballot box showdowns.
But Khanna, a progressive leader from California who along with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is backing Platner, argued in a Fox News Digital interview on Friday night that Platner is «taking accountability» for his past and «we need that redemption in this country.»
Platner, the military combat veteran and oyster farmer who is considered the Democrats’ presumptive nominee ahead of Tuesday’s primary in Maine, has been playing defense amid multiple controversies, ranging from inflammatory online comments made on Reddit, a well-publicized and now-covered up tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol, to new allegations this week from ex-girlfriends of a history of rape fantasies, heavy drinking and violent episodes.
The candidate is arguably facing the roughest stretch to date of his campaign against Collins, in a race that is one of a handful across the country which will decide if the Republicans hold on to their slim Senate majority in this year’s midterm elections.
THE TEN RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE’S MAJORITY
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to supporters at a rally in Bar Harbor, Maine, on June 5, 2026 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Collins, returning to Maine on Friday after a busy week on Capitol Hill where she reached a milestone by casting her 10,000th consecutive vote in the Senate, was asked by reporters about the latest allegations facing Platner.
«The allegations in the latest story are troubling,» Collins responded. «And I believe that Graham Platner has a lot of questions to answer.»
Collins, a moderate Republican who at times votes against President Donald Trump’s agenda, is running for a sixth six-year term in the Senate in left-leaning Maine.
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Speaking with Fox News Digital ahead of a rally with Platner, progressive gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson and congressional contender Matt Dunlap, which was organized by Khanna, the congressman was asked if he was concerned the latest allegations could sink Platner’s campaign and hurt Democrats’ hopes of winning back the Senate.
«I’m more concerned about making it clear that we’re opposed to misogyny, those relationships were toxic and volatile, there’s no excuse for that,» Khanna said. «I talked to Graham and he says he was at a very dark period, he had come back from two tours of duty in Iraq as an infantry man seeing violence and death. That doesn’t excuse it.»
But Khanna added that Platner said «he really grew as a person when he came back to Maine and he was an oyster farmer and he found peace and he is ashamed of that period. To me that suggests someone taking accountability and improving their lives and we need that redemption in this country. And I agree with a lot of his economic policies, that we should be taxing the billionaires, we should be focusing on the working class.»
‘MAINE, YOU HAVE MY BACK’ – PLATNER BLASTS NEW ALLEGATIONS AS ‘FALSE ACCUSATIONS’ AS HE THANKS SUPPORTERS
After Christine Blasey Ford accused then-Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018, Khanna tweeted, «I stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Brett Kavanaugh is not fit to sit on the Supreme Court. #BelieveSurvivors.»
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California speaks with Fox News Digital ahead of a rally that he organized which included Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, in Bar Harbor, Maine on June 5, 2026. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Back on home turf on Friday, the rally was held in this resort town next to Acadia National Park that is close to Platner’s hometown of Sullivan, Maine, the candidate thanked a large crowd of supporters for having his back and charged the incoming fire he’s facing is «politically motivated.»
«When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness of recovery and accountability and growth. Maine had my back,» Platner said at a rally. «Now, as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated, and weaponized, you have my back. And when politically motivated, serious and false, false accusations are made against me. Maine, you have my back.»
Platner, who has acknowledged his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder from his multiple tours of duty in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, apologized for his controversial Reddit posts after they made headlines last fall soon after he launched his Senate campaign.
And Platner has said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines stationed in Croatia. He said that he covered up the tattoo with a new design after learning last year that it resembled a Nazi symbol. But new allegations raise questions about Platner’s timeline regarding knowledge of the tattoo.
‘HE HATED WOMEN’: EXPLOSIVE ABUSE, NEW NAZI TATTOO ALLEGATIONS FROM EXES ROCK PLATNER’S CAMPAIGN
Platner is facing plenty of incoming political fire from Republican groups. A super PAC aligned with Collins has been blasting Platner, running ads spotlighting his multiple controversies.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), in a social media post following Friday night’s rally, took aim at Platner, charging he’s «a fraud»
«He’s preaching about living a small but decent life growing up in Maine. The truth? Graham Platner is an elitist whose parents sent him to boarding school in Connecticut and bought him a house,» the NRSC wrote.
And the Republican National Committee (RNC) also targeted Platner.
«Graham Platner says his violent and erratic past is being «weaponized» against him. Platner said he would rape someone to show his dominance and «rape was about power,» the RNC research team wrote on X, as it pointed to new allegations against the candidate.
Platner, as he runs for the Senate, is pushing an economically populist agenda as he takes aim at corporate influences and advocates for the working class.
«I agree with a lot of his economic policies, that we should be taxing the billionaires, we should be focusing on the working class,» Khanna told Fox News Digital.
Graham Platner, the Democrats’ presumptive Senate nominee in Maine, holds an energy event in Ellsworth, Maine on Monday May 11, 2026. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Platner is considered the all-but-certain Democratic nominee after two-term Gov. Janet Mills, who was backed by longtime Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Party establishment, dropped out of the race earlier this spring after significantly trailing Platner in fundraising and polling.
Mills, in a recent interview, noted that her name remains on the ballot. And a source in her wider political orbit confirmed to Fox News that the governor is receiving calls urging her to get back in the race amid Platner’s controversies. But there’s no active campaign effort on behalf of Mills.
Asked about Mills, Khanna told Fox News Digital: «the great thing about democracy, you can run full steam ahead, you can kind of run ambiguously like Janet Mills, you can keep your name on that campaign. That’s why I love American democracy.»
But he predicted that «Platner is going to come out victorious. And we need to unite and realize that the goal is defeating Susan Collins. And everyone from Schumer to Sanders is unified around that goal.
Platner’s campaign said that more than 600 people attended the rally. And they touted that they had raked in $200,000 in fundraising the past 24 hours, which they said was their strongest fundraising day since Mills suspended her campaign.
WATCH: Maine residents weigh in on Platner amid mounting controversies:
Maine voters that Fox News Digital spoke with ahead of the rally were divided on whether Platner’s controversies will impact their opinions of the candidate.
Jeff from Waterboro, Maine, said, «it’s not a good situation» as he pointed to Platner. «I think it’s somebody who shouldn’t’ be in the mix. I am a conservative but he’s just got so much damage, if the Democrats want to have a winner, they’re going to have to find somebody else. He’s not the guy. It’s just too much.»
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Ellen from Acton, Maine, who said she is a registered Republican, said, «is he a perfect person? Heck no.»
But she added, «I think he will go in and do a good job.»
graham platner, politics, republicans, campaigning, senate elections, midterm elections, maine
INTERNACIONAL
Gobierno de Honduras acredita aumento salarial a maestros y asegura cumplimiento de acuerdos con el magisterio
El Gobierno de la República anunció este viernes que el aumento salarial para el sector docente ya comenzó a hacerse efectivo con el pago correspondiente al mes de junio, beneficio que fue acreditado a miles de maestros a nivel nacional.
La información fue dada a conocer mediante un comunicado oficial emitido por Casa Presidencial, en el que se detalla que el ajuste salarial forma parte de los acuerdos alcanzados con el gremio magisterial y representa un reconocimiento al trabajo que realizan los docentes hondureños.
Según el documento, el pago acreditado este mes incorpora el incremento acordado durante las negociaciones sostenidas entre las autoridades gubernamentales y representantes del sector educativo.
“El Gobierno de la República informa al noble qgremio magisterial y al pueblo hondureño en general que, a partir de hoy, se inició a hacer efectivo el pago de junio con el aumento salarial acordado con las maestras y maestros del país”, señala el comunicado.
Las autoridades destacaron que esta medida constituye un reconocimiento a la labor que desempeñan los docentes en la formación de la niñez y la juventud hondureña, resaltando la importancia del magisterio dentro del sistema educativo nacional.
De acuerdo con el pronunciamiento oficial, los maestros representan uno de los pilares fundamentales para el desarrollo del país y desempeñan un papel esencial en la construcción de mejores oportunidades para las futuras generaciones.
El Gobierno afirmó que el cumplimiento del incremento salarial también busca dignificar la profesión docente, fortalecer las condiciones laborales y respaldar el trabajo que diariamente realizan miles de educadores en las aulas.
“Este cumplimiento representa un reconocimiento justo a quienes, con vocación, entrega y compromiso, forman diariamente a la niñez y la juventud hondureña”, expresa el documento difundido por Casa Presidencial.
Las autoridades también señalaron que la acción refleja el compromiso del Estado con la educación pública y con el fortalecimiento del sistema educativo nacional.
Asimismo, indicaron que el cumplimiento del acuerdo se realiza mediante mecanismos responsables y transparentes, en un esfuerzo por mantener el diálogo y la cooperación con el sector magisterial.
El comunicado añade que el Ejecutivo continuará impulsando políticas orientadas a mejorar las condiciones laborales de los docentes, así como iniciativas encaminadas a fortalecer la calidad educativa en el país.
Durante los últimos meses, representantes del magisterio y funcionarios del Gobierno sostuvieron diversas reuniones para abordar temas relacionados con salarios, beneficios laborales y necesidades del sistema educativo.
El ajuste salarial era una de las principales demandas planteadas por el sector docente, que venía solicitando el cumplimiento de compromisos económicos y mejoras en sus condiciones laborales.
Las autoridades sostienen que la inversión en educación y en el personal docente constituye una apuesta estratégica para el desarrollo nacional y el fortalecimiento del capital humano.
“Con esta acción, el Gobierno honra la palabra empeñada y reafirma su compromiso de dignificar la labor docente, fortaleciendo las condiciones del magisterio nacional mediante hechos concretos, responsables y transparentes”, añade el comunicado.
Finalmente, el Gobierno reiteró su disposición de continuar trabajando junto al sector educativo para impulsar nuevas acciones que beneficien a los docentes y contribuyan al fortalecimiento del sistema educativo hondureño.
Las autoridades concluyeron señalando que invertir en los maestros es invertir en el presente y en el futuro de Honduras, al considerar que la educación sigue siendo uno de los principales motores para el desarrollo del país.
Honduras,escuela,educación,lempira,útiles escolares
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Newsom begs Californians to vote ‘no’ on billionaire’s tax in face of mass exodus, pitches nationwide tax hike
CA billionaire tax faces legal challenge, Newsom opposes it
FOX Business Host Cheryl Casone reports on California’s controversial billionaire tax, a one-time 5% levy on residents worth over $1 billion. This measure, which would retroactively apply from January 1, 2026, is opposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Critics question its legality and potential for billionaires to exit the state.
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California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing another blow after a massive wealth tax he warned could cause a wealth and business exodus from the state was officially added to the November ballot.
Despite his opposition, the measure’s sponsor, Billionaire Tax Now, announced Thursday that it was officially being added to the state’s ballot. The measure, called the California Billionaire Tax Act, would impose a one-time, «emergency» 5% tax on Californians with assets exceeding $1 billion. The tax has been endorsed by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who called it «reasonable and necessary» «at a time of unprecedented and growing wealth consolidation and income inequality.»
However, Newsom, a rumored frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, has come out strongly against the tax, citing fears that billionaires will simply up and leave to states like Texas or Florida.
In a lengthy Substack post on the tax, Newsom wrote, «Last night, it became certain that a wealth tax would be placed on the November ballot in California. I’m voting no.»
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California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has come out strongly against a proposed state billionaire tax while pushing a similar national tax. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
«You may not be able to pick up and move to Texas or Florida to shelter your income from taxation, but I promise you that billionaires can, and do,» he wrote, adding, «Wealth is movable, and it shops for the state with the lowest taxes.»
In a state that has already lost prominent business figures such as Elon Musk, Google co-founder Larry Page and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Newsom is not the only one warning that the billionaire tax could worsen California’s ongoing exodus.
Earlier this year, Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur Allison Huynh predicted in an interview with Fox News Digital that the tax would cause a «mass migration,» starting with «not just the billionaires, but the people who are investing in new ideas, in new infrastructure, whether it’s AI, healthcare, tech, robotics.»
Huynh likened the proposed tax hike to a restaurant about to go out of business.
«Instead of lowering the price, they increase the price,» she said. «And then you go into the restaurant, and it’s like $50 for a bowl of really bad dumplings.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Billionaire Tax Now for comment.
BLUE STATE’S BILLIONAIRE EXODUS ABOUT TO GET MUCH WORSE IN 2026, INSIDER WARNS
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., endorsed the California billionaire tax. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
After news of the measure being added to the ballot broke, Newsom called on the U.S. to institute a national billionaire tax and what he referred to as «a new social contract.»
In an X post, Newsom wrote that «the system is fundamentally broken. The federal tax code, a corporate code, and an inheritance code were written for a different set of Americans. It’s time for an economic reset.»
In his Substack post, he argued «the fight to make the wealthiest Americans pay more in taxes is not one we should be fighting state by state.» Instead, he wrote, «The fight belongs at the federal level, where this broken system was created in the first place.»
In January, Newsom said he felt vindicated in opposing the proposed wealth tax after reports showed some of California’s wealthiest residents moving money and businesses out of the state, warning the measure would damage the economy and drive away investment.
«This is my fear,» Newsom said in a Politico interview on Monday. «It’s just what I warned against. It’s happening.»
«The evidence is in. The impacts are very real — not just substantive economic impacts in terms of the revenue, but start-ups, the indirect impacts of … people questioning long-term commitments, medium-term commitments,» he continued. «That’s not what we need right now, at a time of so much uncertainty. Quite the contrary.»
Despite Newsom’s opposition, the group behind the tax effort — Billionaire Tax Now, sponsored by the Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West — proceeded to add it to the ballot.
The union posits that the tax will «prevent the collapse of California healthcare and help fund California public K-14 education and state food assistance programs.»
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers his final state budget plan at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on May 14, 2026. (Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Billionaire Tax Now is confident the measure will pass, posting on X that «while a few controversial billionaires and their buddies in Sacramento want to see California’s hospitals close and tax breaks for billionaires protected – popular support is on our side.»
Meanwhile, some of Newsom’s detractors claim that his opposition to the measure is driven by a desire to appeal to potential presidential donors.
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Billionaire Tax Now reposted an X post by David Sirota, founder of the progressive investigative news outlet The Lever, in which he asserted that «Gavin Newsom is trying to protect 250 prospective 2028 presidential donors, even if that means 3 million of his constituents are medically bankrupted.»
Reached for comment, Newsom’s office directed Fox News Digital to his Substack and video.
gavin newsom, governors, taxes, california, bernie sanders, democratic party
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Ukraine launches what appears to be one of its largest drone attacks against Russia: report
Secretary Rubio clarifies US stance on Russia, Ukraine conflict
Secretary Rubio clarifies the US stance on alleged agreements with Russia over Ukraine from Manama, Bahrain. He states there was only a proposal, not a full agreement, and that the US remains committed to playing a constructive role in ending the bloody war. Rubio notes the high casualties, particularly among Russian soldiers, highlighting the conflict’s devastating impact.
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As the brutal war between the two nations continues to rage, Ukraine conducted a significant nighttime assault against a dozen Russian regions, Russian-held Crimea as well as the surrounding seas, Russia’s Ministry of Defense indicated on Friday, according to The Associated Press, which reported that the effort appeared to be one Ukraine’s largest drone attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion several years ago.
The ministry reported that the country’s air defenses intercepted a whopping 660 Ukrainian drones, according to the outlet, which noted that the prior largest Ukrainian assault during the past year included 556 drones last month on May 17.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin indicated that 47 Ukrainian drones were taken out as they headed for the capital city, according to the report.
‘PURE HELL’ IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL’S FUEL MARKET
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures during his meeting with Britain’s Prime Minister on the sideline of the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026. (Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
The AP reported that Ukraine’s air force indicated that the nation’s defenses stopped 174 of 189 Russian drones overnight, though four out of seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles breached air defenses and hit various places.
But even as the years-long war between the two countries drags on, the bitter enemies engaged in a prisoner swap, according to the AP, which reported that officials said 160 individuals from each side were going home on Friday.
RUSSIA PREPARING HYBRID ATTACKS ON NATO’S EASTERN FLANK, INTELLIGENCE WARNS
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videolink in Moscow on June 25, 2026. (Pavel Byrkin / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted in a Friday post on X, «We continue bringing Ukrainians home from Russian captivity. Today, 160 servicemembers were released from captivity. All of them had been held captive since 2022.»
«Among those released today are servicemembers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, National Guard warriors, and border guards. They defended Ukraine in Mariupol and at Azovstal, as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy sectors,» he continued.
FUNERALS, BEAUTY QUEENS AND BOMBS: THE UKRAINIAN CITY THAT WON’T LET PUTIN WIN
Trucks are engulfed by smoke from a fire at a parking lot in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on June 25, 2026. (Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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«I thank our entire team, which works every day to bring our people back. Special gratitude to all our units on the frontline who replenish Ukraine’s ‘exchange fund’ and, through their courage, make it possible for us to bring people home. We remember everyone who remains in captivity. We are checking every name. We must bring everyone back – both military personnel and civilians,» Zelenskyy added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
wars, drones, world, russia, ukraine
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