Ex-aides to former President Barack Obama, now hosts of the podcast "Pod Save America," have publicly called on Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to step aside following a rape allegation against him.

Maine resident Jenny Racicot accused Platner of rape in interviews with Politico and CNN, alleging that nearly five years ago, Platner entered her home uninvited while intoxicated and forced himself on her. Racicot, who had been seeing Platner on and off at the time, said she immediately cut ties with him after the alleged assault, recalling, "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’"

Tommy Vietor, co-host of "Pod Save America" and former Obama spokesman, described the allegations as "really bad and troubling" and criticized Platner for not being fully transparent about his past. The podcast hosts deemed the allegation credible and demanded Platner withdraw from the Maine Senate race.

Jon Lovett, another former Obama aide and co-host, suggested Platner may have deceived himself about his past but emphasized that the issue should not be contested in the election and that Platner should step aside.

The controversy adds to a series of articles and allegations surrounding Platner, impacting his political standing. Vietor noted that despite Platner's appeal to some voters willing to overlook his controversies, the cumulative effect of the allegations is significant.

Additionally, Vietor commented on the political dynamics in Maine, stating, "as much as Janet Mills's supporters deserve to be angry and deserve the 'I told you so' they're saying today, the problem was that Maine voters were not supporting her — they didn't want to vote for her."

Platner reportedly acknowledged heavy drinking during the time in question, with reports describing him as intoxicated and potentially not remembering events the following day.

Sources