President Donald Trump called into question a new sexual assault allegation made against Maine's Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, who announced Wednesday he is suspending his campaign.
"It's really a question of whether or not you believe the woman," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "A lot of people say big falsehoods." Politico reported on Monday that Platner had allegedly sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend, forcing her to have sex with him. The woman, 41-year-old Jenny Racicot, told the outlet that Platner entered her rural Maine home uninvited one night in 2021 and forced himself on her.
In a video released Wednesday, Platner maintained his innocence and denied the allegations, but said he was dropping out of the Senate race anyway.
Trump Highlights Previous Allegation
Trump also suggested a woman who raised alarm bells about Platner last month was disregarded because of her political affiliation. "It's very interesting, when a Republican woman came out with the same charge nobody believed her," Trump claimed, referring to allegations made by Platner's former girlfriend and Virginia conservative, Lyndsey Fifield, who described a pattern of unsettling behavior by Platner to The New York Times last month.
Trump didn't give a clear answer when asked whether Democrats should be allowed to replace Platner with a different candidate ahead of Election Day. Maine state law dictates that Platner resign by July 13, while the party has until July 27 to replace him on the ballot.
"I would imagine he's going to lose," said Trump, who has a long documented history of sexual assault allegations and was recently ordered to pay $5 million for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll.
Platner's Campaign Scandals
Platner's campaign has been plagued by a series of scandals, including resurfaced racist comments and reports that he sent sexually explicit texts to other women outside of his marriage. He also covered a tattoo on his chest that was widely recognized as a Nazi symbol.
Platner, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), has faced increasing calls to drop out of the race, including from the Maine Democratic Party, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and some of his biggest progressive one-time backers, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
Potential Replacements
There is a growing list of possible candidates who could replace Platner, as the Democrats see the seat as key to winning control of the Senate. On Wednesday, the Maine Democratic Party said it would host a convention to replace Platner if he chooses to drop out. Actor Patrick Dempsey and popular Substack author Heather Cox Richardson both publicly clarified that they would not run to replace Platner.
