Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is calling on Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other prominent progressive figures to apologize for supporting Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, describing Platner as a “predator” following allegations that have engulfed his campaign.
During an interview Monday night with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Fetterman sharply criticized Sanders for endorsing Platner and argued that progressive leaders who championed the candidate should acknowledge their support.
“I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone he helped,” Fetterman said.
“So I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people,” he added.
Fetterman also suggested Sanders should reconsider endorsing candidates in future races, arguing that recent developments surrounding Platner reflect poorly on those who backed his campaign.
“Maybe he should consider sit a few out and stop pushing these kinds of communists and people,” Fetterman said, adding that Platner has “been credibly accused of rape.”
The Pennsylvania senator argued that Platner’s political future was effectively over after allegations about his behavior surfaced publicly.
“He was a dead man walking, politically,” Fetterman said, referencing a report published by The New York Times in early June that detailed allegations from Lyndsey Fifield, a woman who previously dated Platner. The report included claims that Platner behaved abusively during their relationship.
When asked why some Democratic senators continued supporting Platner after those allegations became public, Fetterman said he was unwilling to dismiss the accounts from women who described what he characterized as “toxic” and volatile relationships with the candidate.
“Yeah, I mean, I refuse to overlook that,” Fetterman said.
Fetterman also broadened his criticism beyond elected officials, arguing that other influential Democratic voices who continued to support Platner after the allegations surfaced should also apologize.
“Even those ‘Pod Save America’ that pushed that dirtbag, and they dismissed those things in the New York Times article, maybe they should apologize to the women they didn’t believe,” Fetterman said, referring to the popular liberal podcast.
The controversy surrounding Platner intensified after Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine woman who said she had casually dated him, made allegations during an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
According to Racicot, Platner entered her home without permission in 2021 while intoxicated and raped her. She alleged that he forced her to have sex despite her repeatedly telling him to stop.
Racicot also said the encounter knocked over a sewing cabinet inside her home, leaving a needle lodged in her leg.
She further claimed that Platner had no memory of the alleged assault the following morning.
Platner has denied the accusation.
In a video released by his campaign after the latest allegation became public, Platner rejected the claims against him.
“Any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false,” he said.
His campaign also pushed back on the allegations, contending they were “coached and coordinated by out-of-state establishment operatives.”
Fetterman’s remarks represent some of the strongest criticism yet from within Democratic ranks, as he urged prominent progressives and other supporters of Platner to answer for their endorsements in light of the allegations that have emerged against the Maine Senate candidate.
