Sen. John Fetterman Calls for Bernie Sanders Apology Over Maine Candidate Graham Platner

Senator John Fetterman publicly demanded that Senator Bernie Sanders apologize for endorsing Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine. The call came after Platner was accused by Jenny Racicot of raping her in 2021 while intoxicated, an allegation he denies. Fetterman denounced Platner as a predator and "trash bag," and criticized party leaders for backing him despite prior controversies, including a Nazi‑like tattoo and other abuse allegations. Other senior Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, have also urged Platner to withdraw, and Sanders later suggested he step aside. The scandal threatens the Democratic Party’s chances of flipping the Maine seat held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins.