Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has called on Graham Platner to drop out of the US Senate race in Maine due to "very serious allegations" of sexual assault. This demand comes hours before a new claim of sexual misconduct against Platner emerged.

According to a Politico report published Monday, Jenny Racicot, 41, who previously dated Platner, alleged that he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. Platner has denied these allegations, which were also reported by the Washington Post.

The initial report has prompted a wave of prominent Democrats to urge Platner to stand aside as the party’s nominee in the consequential Senate contest.

Meanwhile, Republican leaders are trying to quell speculation surrounding Mitch McConnell, the 84-year-old former Republican leader in the US Senate. McConnell, who led Senate Republicans longer than anyone in history before stepping down last year, was admitted to hospital on June 14. His office has declined to disclose the nature of his treatment.

Sources indicate that President Donald Trump has escalated warnings about a "communist takeover" of the Democratic party ahead of the November midterm elections, with preliminary findings suggesting this message energizes his base and could increase turnout among infrequent Republican voters.

Sources