Trump Sounds Off On The Democratic Platner Problem

News admin July 9, 2026 0 Comments

Trump Sounds Off On The Democratic Platner Problem

President Donald Trump said it would be “very hard” for Democrats to replace Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner as he faces calls to drop out after being accused of rape.

“So he won the primary,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One while traveling back from a NATO summit in Turkey. “It’s very hard for them to do.”

Platner suspended his campaign on Wednesday after a former girlfriend named Jenny Racicot accused Platner of entering her home without permission while heavily intoxicated in 2021 and sexually assaulting her. Platner has denied the allegations.

“It’s really a question of whether or not you believe the woman. A lot of people say big falsehoods,” Trump said. “He’s in a bind, he’s in a bind. But should they be able to do it? Well, I guess he’s going to lose. I’d imagine he’s going to lose.”

Trump also questioned why Platner did not face more pressure last month after another one of his former girlfriends came forward to the New York Times and alleged that Platner treated her abusively, both physically and emotionally. That accuser, Lyndsey Fifield, was active in conservative politics.

“It’s very interesting when the Republican woman came out with the same charge, nobody believed her, when this woman came out, everybody believed her,” Trump said.

Fifield alleged that Platner once twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom, and held the door shut, telling her to stay there until she was “calm.” Fifield said she eventually fell asleep and left the next morning. She later accused the Times of watering down its story highlighting her experience dating Platner.

Platner continued to deny all accusations of physical abuse in his announcement suspending his campaign.

“I have faced some very serious allegations, and I just want to make it clear, this is all false,” he added. “The things that have been claimed did not happen. It’s not real.”

Maine Democrats have already set in motion the process to replace Platner on the ballot before the July 13 deadline. They are expected to hold a nominating convention in the coming days. In recent days, Platner and the Democratic Party have traded shots about how the replacement process would work.

“We will announce the full timeline, details for how the nomination process will move forward, information about how to participate, and requirements for candidates soon,” the party said. “We will keep the public informed throughout the process — transparency is of the utmost importance.”