As predictable because the Solar rising within the East, new bombshells dropped in opposition to the embattled Maine Democrat Senate candidate, Herr Oystergruppenfuhrer Graham Platner. The New York Instances revealed an article enumerating some deeply regarding behaviors by Platner as instructed by his ex-girlfriends. An emergency interview with MS Now’s Chris Hayes ensued. Listed here are a few of the most telling moments from that interview.
For essentially the most half, the interview performed like a 24-minute prolonged remix of The New York Instances’s Lulu García-Navarro asking Platner whether or not there was the rest he needed to get forward of, and Platner replying within the unfavorable. Hayes tried to strike a fragile stability between giving Platner the customary MS NOW tongue bathtub, and attempting to evaluate whether or not any further harm was incoming.
Hayes begins the interview by going on to the Lyndsey Fifield portion of the Instances article, which is essentially the most damaging. Platner denies the allegations upon direct questioning from Hayes (Click on “broaden” to view transcripts)
WATCH: Graham Platner denies accusations of being “tough” to Lyndsey Fifield, upon direct questioning from Chris Hayes pic.twitter.com/b29TnYUHyx
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
CHRIS HAYES: I simply wish to say at the beginning that like, you understand, we have had you on earlier than and I feel you and I are each those who in different contexts speak about earnings inequality and well being care and all these points, that are extraordinarily necessary. And we dedicate quite a lot of time to on this program. We’re- this isn’t, you understand, the factor that we spend quite a lot of time chasing.
However, you understand, there’s some critical stuff there I wish to undergo with you. And I feel voters have a proper to find out about it. And I wish to begin with what Ms. Fifield says about being “tough”, is the time period the Instances wrote. And I’ll simply learn you the account so you’ve gotten it. That is from the Instances.
“Mr. Platner might be tough together with her, Ms. Fifield mentioned, notably once they have been ingesting, leaving her shaken and typically afraid. Within the interviews, she grappled with easy methods to course of her experiences. She was fast to notice ‘he by no means hit me. He by no means punched me.’ She mentioned he usually grabbed her by the shoulders, typically exhausting sufficient to go away marks. On one event yanked her out of a cab by her wrist after an argument when she needed to remain within the automotive. Throughout one argument, she recalled, he twisted her arm behind her again, shoved her right into a bed room and held the door closed from the opposite aspect so she could not get out, telling her to stay there till she was calm. Ultimately, Ms. Fifield mentioned, she fell asleep and left the following morning. ‘It damage’, she mentioned. However she added, ‘it did not trigger any harm. It did not break my arm.’ Did that occur?
GRAHAM PLATNER: No. It didn’t. There are some allegations on this piece that I simply wish to be form of unequivocal about are merely not true. Something alleging physicality, something alleging that I knew what my tattoo was. These are the statements of somebody who’s politically motivated. On this piece, there’s so much about my struggling, not being boyfriend, actually self-medicating with alcohol. And I have been very upfront because the starting of this marketing campaign that that was a fairly darkish interval of my life after I got here again from my fight service. And that is what that fight ser-, that is what that form of life appears like. And, and so there are issues on this that I completely will take duty for and have been talking about brazenly for months now. However these critical allegations are simply not true.
HAYES: You didn’t seize her by the wrist. You didn’t put your fingers on her shoulders. You didn’t push her right into a room that you just closed the door on.
PLATNER: No.
HAYES: She’s- she’s mendacity about that, is what you’re saying.
PLATNER: Sure. That isn’t true.
This alternate is necessary as a result of it reveals the sample that outlined the remainder of the interview. Hayes lays out some damning reality or accusation, Platner goes right into a pre-set assertion, Hayes provides little if any pushback and strikes on. Such is the case with the disturbing allegations made by Fifield, who seems to be getting not a lot “imagine all victims” good thing about the doubt. Platner brushes off the accusations as being based mostly on partisan motivation and Hayes lets it go.
Subsequent up: the Totenkopf tattoo.
WATCH: Platner triples and quadruples down on not realizing his notorious chest tattoo was an SS Totenkopf, accuses Fifield of being the leaker. Platner alleges different Marines obtained the identical tattoo. pic.twitter.com/sObw8hF22u
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
HAYES: You- you talked about the tattoos, so I wish to speak about that as a result of I feel this was troubling to lots of people. And I feel, once more, your account of it assuaged a few of that- that concern clearly in Maine voters, as mirrored, once more, by reporting and polling. She says, identical particular person, that you just referred to the tattoo as “my Totenkampf(SIC),” which is the German phrase for this explicit Nazi image. There may be different reporting in Jewish Insider in October, during which an nameless acquaintance says, you used that very same phrase. Do you know what this tattoo was about earlier than final October once you mentioned you first turned conscious of it?
PLATNER: No, I didn’t. And I additionally assume it is necessary to notice that it’s extremely possible, and I feel that that she is that very same supply. She’s the one that’s been telling folks this from the start. And it is a- so I really feel like, you understand, we’re form of rehashing the factor we have been by. I had that tattoo for 17 years. It is a cranium and crossbones. I obtained it with different Marines who I served with in Iraq, in Croatia. And within the time that I had it, I obtained a safety clearance with the State Division. I re-enlisted in the US Military the place I used to be screened for gang and hate tattoos, and I took my shirt off in entrance of my household, a lot of whom are Jewish. We even launched as a marketing campaign a video which you are placing up on the display screen proper now of me dancing at my brother’s marriage ceremony to his spouse, who’s Jewish, and her absolutely prolonged Jewish household. And I might not have taken my shirt off in that context if I had recognized. And so any assertion saying that I did know is- is, once more, completely false.
HAYES: I do wish to comply with up on one place on this, and I do not wish to get too forensic, however, you understand, the Instances principally reported that they noticed texts of hers, together with a textual content in August, I imagine August third of final yr. This could be earlier than October of final yr, during which she principally mentioned that you just had a, quote, “Nazi tattoo”, and she or he joked about how she was going to go volunteer for Collins. Now, once more, it is a textual content that obtained despatched so we are able to place the time. Proper? That is in August. How does she know it is a Nazi tattoo in August of final yr? And you do not know it is Nazi tattoo in August of final yr?
PLATNER: Properly, she actually did not ship that textual content to me. So whoever she despatched it to and was speaking to, that’s- I am unable to say why, however I’ll say that I actually did not know. And and the textual content messages she despatched to buddies who might have acknowledged it’s- they didn’t inform me that. So.
Right here once more, Platner’s technique is to deflect and blame Fifield. And Hayes’s technique seems to be to allow that whereas showing to ask exhausting questions. This isn’t a lot an interview as it’s an emergency triage effort the place there are a number of wounds requiring consideration.
Hayes shifts to the sexting scandal, organising Platner for a prolonged communications set piece that’s gentle on particulars. Hayes tries to pin Platner down on a particular timeframe as to when he stopped the sexts. Platner’s response: “I finished when it was occurring.”
We transfer on to the following eye-popping second, whereby Hayes asks Platner if there are any texts or compromising footage of Platner that might get dropped late within the race. Platner’s response- not a no, however “I’m not apprehensive about it,” main to a different prolonged set piece about redemption and “transformational politics.”
WATCH: Hayes asks Platner the place there are some other damning texts or footage on the market that might probably get dropped late within the race. Platner’s response: “I am not apprehensive about it.” pic.twitter.com/lL70UrAaAA
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
HAYES: Are there texts of yours, footage of yours floating round on the market, which once more, perhaps from a time capsule. However folks I feel are understandably a little bit nervous. Possibly you may be the nominee, most likely be the nominee for the Maine Senate on Tuesday, after which it is October tenth. And this is a textual content or image of Graham Platner that isn’t the form of factor that you just wish to see. Like, are you apprehensive about that? Are there texts like that?
PLATNER: I am not apprehensive about it. I imply, one, I went as I’ve talked to him, I went by my life by plenty of years struggling and never precisely appearing with the most effective conduct. I have been very, very open about that. And if folks wish to proceed to pull issues up from that point in my life, I am positive that we’re going to see in some unspecified time in the future someone try to do precisely that.
Simply know that these are issues that occurred earlier than I turned a public determine, earlier than I obtained into politics, and it is part of my life that I am very completely happy to speak about and discuss in regards to the struggles inside. And so I do assume that as we transfer ahead, you understand, what we have constructed up right here is admittedly one thing fairly spectacular. It is very new. And I feel one of many explanation why it is labored so nicely is as a result of I’ve been very open with the folks of Maine. I am going all around the state, I’ve held over 80 city halls, and I ask or I reply questions from Mainers, no matter what the query is. I’ve made myself very accessible to folks, and I would like them to find out about my struggles as a result of I firmly imagine that in case you imagine in a transformational politics, you have to imagine within the potential for folks to rework. And my journey is one in every of transformation, and I am very completely happy to speak about that earlier half in my life. And I’ve little doubt that folks will try to proceed to revisit Reddit posts, proceed to attempt to revisit components of my previous. However I feel what’s actually necessary to notice right here is that these are issues that I speak about in my previous, issues that I am not pleased with, however it’s a previous that I needed to undergo to get the place I’m at the moment, and I’m very pleased with who I’m at the moment. I’m very pleased with the motion that we’ve constructed up right here in Maine.
In a uncommon follow-up, Hayes virtually begs Platner for assurance that the recipients of the inevitable subsequent incoming tranche of texts or footage have been consenting adults. Platner gives a definitive “sure.”
Hayes presses Platner on whether or not his sext recipients are consenting adults. Platner responds within the affirmative. pic.twitter.com/HZVRuiBXLt
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
HAYES: Simply to be clear, nearly revisiting, proper? I imply, I feel- channeling issues, I consider Democratic voters and Democratic officers, and lots of people, proper? That it isn’t a query of revisiting, proper? It is new revelations like vis a vis, you understand, texts or footage. And I simply, I do know you wish to give some privateness in your marriage, however I actually do really feel like I must get these solutions from you, which is just like the folks you have been texting with, no matter that was in no matter context- they have been grownup ladies. You knew that and it was consensual. Is that true?
PLATNER: Sure.
HAYES: And you’ve got that- you confirmed that you just knew their age.
PLATNER: Sure. Oh, God. I imply, yeah. Sure, after all.
What is that this if not a modified restricted hangout meant to blunt the influence of no matter else would possibly drop? What was that if not an admission that extra is to come back?
At this level, Hayes will get Platner to react to statements from Senator Elissa Slotkin and Governor Janet Mills. Hayes then tried to get Platner to specify that there’s nothing else inbound. Platner bemoans a “soiled marketing campaign,” and guarantees nothing new. After some forwards and backwards on trustworthiness, Hayes closes out by asking Platner whether or not the DCSS or some other entity has tried to get him to drop out, ti which Platner replies within the unfavorable.
WATCH: Hayes asks Platner whether or not the DSCC or some other Dem entity has reached out to him to get him to drop out. Platner denies. pic.twitter.com/2cVQ3AiNK4
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
HAYES: Ultimate query for you. Have you ever had any communication with the oldsters on the DSCC, or Democratic operatives who’ve talked about dropping out, who’ve talked about different choices? Have you ever acquired any communication at the moment about that?
PLATNER: No, I’ve not. And and I- I anticipate that we’ll not, primarily as a result of what we have constructed up right here, it is sturdy. It is very sturdy. I imply, even simply the previous couple days, the outpouring of assist that Amy and I’ve seen has been deeply humbling. We’ve got folks dropping off meals at our home. We’ve got neighbors coming throughout with eggs. Everyone is extremely involved about our well-being as a result of they really feel like we’re being attacked indirectly, they usually wish to assist defend us. And it’s that form of feeling of neighborhood, that feeling of standing up for one another that I actually assume embodies this entire marketing campaign. And that is why we will beat Susan Collins in November.
HAYES: All proper. Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, who shall be on the poll on Tuesday, in Maine. We shall be protecting that right here. I actually- I do admire you taking all that point at the moment to do this interview.
PLATNER: No, after all. Thanks, Chris.
The interview then provides solution to a panel dialogue with “Air” Claire McCaskill and The Bulwark’s Tim Miller, who weren’t assuaged by Platner’s responses. Watch as Hayes goes right into a “however Trump” protection of Platner, weirdly tying the allegations to the E. Jean Carroll case- and Tim Miller’s discomfort at Planer’s replies.
WATCH: Chris Hayes goes full “what about Trump”, Tim Miller bleats “It is good to have requirements” earlier than acknowledging Platner has “recognized unknowns” nonetheless to drop. “I am not sure this story is the final one.” pic.twitter.com/lG3NpaEcV9
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 5, 2026
HAYES: You recognize, that- that time you simply made, Claire. Tim, you understand, we reside within the Donald Trump period, proper? So all the pieces is kind of, in some methods been remodeled. I imply, I used to be saying to somebody the opposite day that if the article that got here out at the moment mentioned a lady is accusing Graham Platner of raping her in a dressing room, like that will be it. It might be over. Proper? Just like the- the factor that E. Jean Carroll mentioned about Donald Trump, that, you understand, it was then basically sustained by civil juries underneath preponderance of proof customary, like that will be it on this context. And that is additionally to not say, like, that, like, a whatabout response? As a result of the opposite factor I inform myself is- the ethical break of the Republican celebration has been its incapacity to do any line drawing. And so that- that additionally cannot be the form of mannequin for the way Democrats take care of no matter period we reside in now, with no matter guidelines there are.
TIM MILLER: Yeah, we do not wish to copy them. I imply, I left the Republican celebration for a cause. It is good to have some requirements. However I do not assume clearly that Graham Platner is Donald Trump, for one million causes….
HAYES: To be very clear.
MILLER: …very clearly the one which Claire McCaskill laid out. You recognize, the truth that he is apologized for what he did and he is attempting to turn out to be a greater man. I do not assume I’ve ever heard Donald Trump say what Graham Platner simply mentioned in that interview, that he is attempting to turn out to be a greater man every single day. I do not assume he’s. I feel he is doing the other, you understand? So, look, I feel that along with what Claire mentioned, I might simply add a pair issues. One is he is clearly resonated in Maine with folks of Maine, and it has been his political message that is resonating. And he is a really proficient politician. And if we will be a part of a giant pro-democracy motion from former Republicans to quasi-socialists, with Claire McCaskill within the center, like, you bought to respect democracy. And that is form of what democracy is. You recognize, a candidate placing themselves earlier than the voters, providing a platform and on the lookout for voters that- that determined that is the platform that they’d prefer to see. I feel Graham Platner has accomplished that efficiently. Like the opposite a part of that, although, is that there is like a little bit little bit of unknown- a recognized unknown, to borrow from Don Rumsfeld right here, that I feel is the regarding a part of this, proper, which is there’s a potential aspect to this. Proper?
HAYES: Proper.
MILLER: He is resonated, his message has resonated so far. We do not precisely know what’s to come back. And I feel that is the one factor that issues me about this a little bit bit. It does really feel dangerous. It is a particularly necessary state. The Democrats completely need to take the Senate, which implies they need to take 4 states. Maine is- ought to be the best one. And so for that to be the one inflicting essentially the most issues proper now could be a little bit regarding. I imply, it ought to be the best within the sense that it is the one which Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton all received. So ostensibly, a Democrat ought to solely need to get their voters to win.
HAYES: Proper.
MILLER: So there, that’s the one factor that sticks with me about this. And a part of it’s, you understand, Graham Platner and whether or not that, you understand, whether or not what he is saying is correct and, you understand, it’s a must to be respectful of ladies which are talking out, however there’s solely the one lady that is a Republican operative that is that is suggesting something untoward. The factor that worries me is his solutions to your questions on form of like, when did this cease and what else would possibly come out? It nonetheless left me a little bit unsure. I do not really feel sure that this story is the final one, and given the significance and the stakes of the race, you know- I feel that’s one factor for Maine voters to contemplate, together with the message that’s resonating.
In sum: However Trump, blame Lyndsey. That’s the final word takeaway from this triage interview, or modified restricted hangout- no matter your perspective could be.
What we noticed wasn’t an alternate in pursuit of the reality and of justice for potential victims of what seems to be some method of relationship violence. If there was any concern proven for victims, it wasn’t for any of the ladies who endured Platner’s varied predations. As an alternative, concern was reserved for the truest and purest sufferer of Platner’s indiscretions: the Democrats’ probabilities at retaking the Senate.
