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Sanders, Murphy, Van Hollen stay silent on Platner rape allegation

Sanders said he spoke with Platner about the allegation and recommended that he step aside.

Sanders, Murphy, Van Hollen stay silent on Platner rape allegation
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Outlet credibilityFox News70/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026
Fox News
Jul 7, 2026
tl;dr

Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen and Chris Murphy called on Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to suspend his campaign or step aside after Jenny Racicot accused him of rape. The article describes a wider withdrawal of Democratic support and renewed scrutiny of the party’s response to allegations against Platner.

Community verdict

23 VOTES
How does this story look for
Bernie Sanders I · VT · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who recommended that Platner leave the race

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Chris Van Hollen
D · MD · SEN

Senator who urged Platner to suspend his campaign

Van Hollen's version of this story ↗

Maine Senate candidate facing a rape allegation and calls to suspend his campaign

Platner's version of this story ↗
Christopher Murphy
D · CT · SEN

Senator who withdrew his support for Platner

Murphy's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Maine senator and candidate Platner’s opponent in the general election

Sheldon Whitehouse
D · RI · SEN

Senator who withdrew his support for Platner after Racicot’s accusation

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader who demanded that Platner suspend his campaign

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

Senator who criticized the Democratic candidate in a statement

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Senator who rescinded her endorsement of Platner and called on him to exit the race

Maine governor and Platner’s former primary rival

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

Representative who rescinded his endorsement of Platner and called on him to exit the race

Part of a bigger story

20 OUTLETS
Bernie Sanders Urges Graham Platner to Leave Senate Race

Outlets agree that Bernie Sanders recommended Graham Platner leave Maine’s Senate race after a woman accused Platner of sexual assault. Platner denied the allegation. Left-leaning outlets split between reporting Sanders’s call and criticizing his earlier support; Daily Kos frames the episode as a failure of progressive vetting. Center outlets focus on Sanders’s recommendation, the allegation and denial, and party decisions. Right-leaning outlets emphasize political fallout and Fetterman’s demand for an apology, while some cast Sanders’s shift as Democratic hypocrisy.

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