Overview
- Platner told Pod Save America that past Reddit remarks were intended to "get a rise out of people" and do not reflect his views, following a video apology posted Friday.
- He has linked the comments to struggles after military service, including PTSD, and said he later learned more about issues such as sexual assault after returning from Afghanistan.
- CNN’s KFILE review cited posts using a slur, calling all police officers bastards, saying rural white Americans are racist and stupid, and self-identifying as a communist.
- DNC Chairman Ken Martin said the posts were offensive but not disqualifying, welcoming Platner’s apology as scrutiny intensifies in a primary that now includes Gov. Janet Mills.
- A top aide resigned after the posts resurfaced, while earlier backing from Bernie Sanders, youth groups and labor unions and opinion pieces urging a down-ballot run frame questions about his viability.