Donald Trump had some harsh words for Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Wednesday. The controversial oysterman is set to face long-time Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election and currently holds a 5-point lead over her, according to RealClearPolitics.
Platner is ahead in the polls despite a turbulent past that includes offensive online posts, cheating accusations, and a skull and crossbones tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol. With a Collins win helping Trump and the Republicans maintain control of the Senate, Trump criticized Democrats for not addressing the allegations against Platner more forcefully.
Trump's Remarks on Platner
"He's a thug, and they're trying to make excuses for him," Trump said. "I mean, he's worse than any human being that's run for office, probably." However, many voters noted that the same words could be used to describe the president himself, given his own cheating scandals and 34 felony convictions.
Trump continued: "Can you imagine if the Republicans had him? There's never been a guy like that that's ever run for office, and at any level. The guy is a loser."
Public Reaction
Social media users were quick to highlight the irony. One user wrote, "The staggering lack of self-awareness has rendered me mute for once." Another commented, "Irony is officially dead." Some pointed out that if Platner were a Republican, Trump would be praising him.
Others questioned Trump's mention of Jeffrey Epstein, noting that Platner's alleged misconduct does not compare to the Epstein scandal, in which Trump had personal associations. "So Trump is trying to equate Platner's inappropriate texts to a multinational child sex trafficking ring led by his close personal friend," one user remarked.
Platner's Response
HuffPost reached out to Platner's office for comment but received no immediate response. However, Platner posted a video on social media after Trump's statements, reminding voters of Trump's relationship with Epstein. The ad highlighted the connection between the DC establishment and Epstein, framing Platner as an outsider fighting against the "Epstein class."
The video message: "The only thing the DC establishment can agree on is a love of Jeffrey Epstein — and a hatred of me. Together, we will take back our government from the Epstein class."
