Stephen King deletes post defending Platner

Stephen King Removes Social Media Entry Supporting Platner Amid Controversy

A Writer's Intervention and Subsequent Retreat

Stephen King deletes post defending Platner - Renowned author Stephen King has removed a social media message that had been defending Maine's Democratic Senate hopeful, Graham Platner. The controversy stems from serious accusations leveled against Platner by his former romantic partner, who claims he sexually assaulted her. King, who maintains his residence in Maine, publicly addressed the situation following a Politico report released on Monday that detailed the claims made by Jenny Racicot.

According to the publication, Racicot, who was previously in a relationship with Platner, alleged that the assault occurred approximately five years prior to the current political cycle. King initially expressed his thoughts on the matter through a post on the platform formerly known as Twitter, though he subsequently deleted this message.

"Graham Platner may drop out. (I hope he doesn't, but.) Meanwhile, the Abuser in Chief just keeps on keepin' on,"

Through this statement, King appeared to draw parallels between the accusations facing Platner and previous allegations directed at President Trump. He further elaborated on his perspective with an additional comment referencing biblical wisdom.

"Tell you what–if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, 'Let him without sin cast the first stone,'"

Platner's Response and Growing Pressure

Following the media attention, Platner promptly issued a denial of the allegations through a video statement. However, he indicated that he would use this period to reflect on his political future and evaluate potential next steps. Several prominent Democratic figures quickly followed suit, publicly encouraging Platner to conclude his Senate campaign.

King's initial comments attracted immediate criticism from various online commentators. Many felt that the author was downplaying the seriousness of the accusations against Platner. Columnist Jonah Goldberg emerged as one of the vocal critics, offering his perspective on the situation.

"So because we don't know about hypothetical rapey legislators we should forgive the ones we do know about."

Clarification and Additional Context

In response to the mounting criticism, King sought to clarify his position on Tuesday. He emphasized that he was not offering a full defense of Platner, but rather making a broader comparison.

"Not defending Grah, Platner. If he committed rape, he should bow out. Just making a comparison,"

King also posted a follow-up message to correct a misspelling of Platner's first name in his earlier statement.

Meanwhile, former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia also modified her stance regarding Platner's accuser. Greene deleted a previous post in which she had suggested that Racicot should not transform what she characterized as consensual encounters into political accusations involving conflicting narratives.

According to Politico's reporting, Racicot and Platner first connected through the dating application Bumble in 2019. Their relationship has been described as intermittent since that initial meeting.

Racicot provided her account to the outlet, describing an incident in 2021 when Platner entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and allegedly assaulted her. She explained that she initially remained silent due to concerns about potential retaliation. Additionally, she expressed a desire to see a Democratic candidate defeat the incumbent Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming November election.

Politico verified Racicot's account by speaking with multiple individuals she had previously confided in, including her therapist and an ex-boyfriend.

Impact on the Campaign

The allegations have significantly disrupted Platner's political trajectory. His campaign had already been dealing with various controversies, including revelations about sexually explicit messages he sent to women during his marriage.

After securing the Democratic nomination with relative ease, the populist oyster farmer was positioned to challenge Senator Collins in the general election. However, the recent revelations have caused Platner to lose crucial backing from both state and national Democratic leaders, who have collectively called for him to withdraw from the race.