Fetterman: Platner seems ‘entitled’ to be part of talks to pick replacement

Campaign Fetterman: Platner seems ‘entitled’ to be part of talks to pick replacement Comments: by Ryan Mancini - 07/08/26 9:39 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Ryan Mancini - 07/08/26 9:39 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Tuesday accused Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) of seeming to be “entitled” to be part of the conversations to pick a replacement following new sexual assault allegations against the candidate.

“He seems now he’s entitled to be a part of this conversation to pick the next one,” Fetterman told CBS News’s Major Garrett. “You know, many of these people that put someone like Platner in this seat right now, sit it out and now allow the Maine Democrats to find out. They would have a much better idea on how to win in Maine.”

Democrats and progressives called on Platner to drop out of the race after Politico reported on Monday that a former girlfriend of Platner’s accused him of sexually assaulting her while heavily intoxicated one night in 2021.

The following day, The Washington Post reported that another ex-girlfriend, who previously accused Platner of violent behavior toward her in a New York Times story last month, alleged that Platner took off a condom without her consent during sex.

Fetterman said he is “fascinated with … the left just quickly just got all in for this total dirtbag.” On Monday, Fetterman called for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other prominent progressive voices in the Democratic Party to apologize for championing Platner’s candidacy.

“I mean, it’s not like — you know, how did we not know this was going to happen?” Fetterman said. “I mean, he is a liar. You know, he lies to his own wife. He was sending sexually explicit messages just as a newlywed and spent an entire decade on a platform like Kik. That’s for anonymous kind of sexting.”

The Hill has reached out to the Platner campaign for comment.

Sanders was one of several key Platner supporters who said he should step aside, saying Tuesday that he spoke with Platner “about the best path forward for Maine.”

“In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside,” Sanders said in a short statement.

Along with Sanders, other lawmakers like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), End Citizens United and the campaign arm of the Senate Democrats called on Platner to drop out, with many rescinding their endorsements.

Maine resident Jenny Racicot told Politico and CNN’s Jake Tapper that Platner entered her home without permission and raped her while he was drunk in 2021. She said Platner forced her to have sex even though she repeatedly told him to stop and knocked over a sewing cabinet in her home, leaving a needle stuck in her leg.

Platner denied the allegations in a video released on Monday, emphasizing the “inaccuracy of the reporting” while acknowledging that the latest scandal could impact his campaign.

“Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward,” he said.