Khanna: Can't a Lying, Violent, Nazi-Tatted Mooch Get a Little 'Grace and Redemption'?
Platner’s campaign ad and Khanna’s defense of him are the focus of the column’s criticism.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYHotAir is a blog publishing an openly opinionated political column, which lowers confidence in its institutional neutrality. The author is named and the column cites a Newsweek report, but the article largely advances its own argument rather than presenting independently developed, balanced reporting.
- Source type — A blog publishing strongly partisan political commentary.
- Editorial standards — The piece is presented as an argument, with little indication of independent editorial reporting.
- Author attribution — The article names Ed Morrissey as its author.
- Transparency — It identifies a Newsweek report as a source for one factual detail.
The column includes a direct excerpt of Khanna’s remarks and cites a Newsweek report about Platner’s account. Its broader conclusions rely on hostile characterizations and assertions by the author, with little counterargument or independent corroboration.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is a one-sided opinion column. It quotes Khanna’s defense but gives no sustained response to the author’s accusations or countervailing account of Platner.
- Counterarguments presented — Khanna’s remarks are quoted, but not developed as a counterargument or tested against a response.
- Loaded language — Repeated insults and condemnatory labels strongly steer the reader.
- Opinion vs reporting — The article is an opinion column and states the author’s verdict directly.
- Source diversity — The article relies mainly on the author’s assertions, Khanna’s interview and a cited Newsweek report.
The column uses loaded, derisive language about Democrats, Khanna and Platner, and frames the episode as evidence of Democratic moral failure. It presents no meaningful defense of the people it criticizes.
- Language tone — Uses insults and pejorative labels, including “whiny, entitled teenager” and “Nazi-tatted predator.”
- Framing — Frames Khanna’s support as an effort to excuse Platner and condemns Democrats as a group.
- Source selection — Quotes Khanna but offers no substantial response from him or other defenders.
- Headline — The headline uses a sarcastic, insulting formulation.
Ed Morrissey criticizes Rep. Ro Khanna for defending Senate candidate Graham Platner after reports about Platner’s conduct, while also attacking Platner’s campaign ad targeting Sen. Susan Collins. The column argues that Khanna’s appeal for “grace and redemption” is undeserved.
Morrissey says Platner’s first general-election ad accused Collins of a connection to Jeffrey Epstein, and criticizes Platner for not releasing his Kik messages. The column cites a Newsweek report that Platner’s Kik profile remained active after its shirtless photo was removed. It also recounts Ro Khanna telling CNN that he believed Platner had changed and asking voters to judge whether he had taken account of his past.
Community verdict
4 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Representative who publicly defended Graham Platner
Khanna's version of this story ↗Maine senator targeted by Platner’s campaign ad
Former senator whose op-ed is cited in a CNN interview
Part of a bigger story
8 OUTLETSOutlets report that former girlfriends have challenged Graham Platner’s account of his tattoo and made allegations about his conduct. Center outlets focus on a former girlfriend’s allegations about Platner’s statements, tattoo knowledge and personal conduct. Right-leaning outlets frame the allegations as a challenge to his credibility, while other articles focus on Ro Khanna’s support, Platner’s rally departure or his criticism of Trump.
- ARTICLES
- 8
- OUTLETS
- 8
- AVG CRED
- 52
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