Veterans have criticized Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner following past comments in which he labeled the Army as “full of fat, lazy trash” and mocked a soldier who was wounded multiple times in combat before earning a Purple Heart.
Holland “Ricky” White, a Vietnam War veteran from the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, shared his personal sacrifices and called Platner’s comments offensive. White remarked, “I am a decorated veteran, and people need to understand what serving in the Army cost me: congestive heart failure, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, and PTSD.” He emphasized the significance of respect and understanding for fellow soldiers.
The controversy surrounding Platner has increased recently, coinciding with his campaign against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in the upcoming 2026 Senate race. His military background is a central element of his candidacy. However, prior derogatory comments, some embracing socialism and criticizing the armed services, have surfaced and raised concerns.
Among Platner’s most contentious statements was a 2019 Reddit post criticizing a soldier who had been wounded by the Taliban in 2012. “Dumb [expletive] didn’t deserve to live,” he wrote. The soldier in question, Army veteran Ted Daniels, survived the attack and was awarded the Purple Heart. Another veteran, Steve, commented, “As a Purple Heart recipient myself – having been wounded for my country, I find his comments to be especially vile.” Steve, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighted the importance of brotherhood and selfless service among soldiers.
Bill Brown, a retired Navy SEAL, expressed that Platner’s words indicate an inability to support those who serve. Brown stated, “A Senator who calls soldiers ‘trash’ and mocks a man’s Purple Heart has shown who he really is.” Many veterans, including John Rourke, echoed this sentiment, labeling Platner as a “disgrace to the uniform.”
Comments from other political figures, such as Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, underscored the gravity of Platner’s remarks. Ernst noted the enduring impact of war on servicemembers and emphasized the despicability of mocking them. “Mocking servicemembers for getting wounded or killed is absolutely despicable,” she remarked.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., have also spoken out against Platner’s statements, with Cotton questioning how Democratic veterans would defend such comments.
The Platner campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Fox News also attempted to reach Democratic veterans in the Senate, who did not reply.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, highlighted the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, or “always faithful,” critiquing Platner for failing to uphold these values.