Purple Heart Recipient Rejects PTSD as Excuse for Maine Senate Candidate's Mocking Comments
Pfc. Ted Daniels, a Purple Heart recipient wounded in Afghanistan, spoke out against Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after resurfaced Reddit comments mocked Daniels' combat performance and survival. Platner has cited his own PTSD and depression as context for his past online posts, but Daniels said mental health struggles do not excuse the behavior. The controversy comes as Platner prepares to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November after winning Maine's Democratic primary.
A Purple Heart recipient wounded by Taliban gunfire in 2012 is publicly rejecting explanations that Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's mocking comments were driven by PTSD. Pfc. Ted Daniels appeared on Fox News to respond to resurfaced Reddit posts attributed to Platner that called Daniels a "dumb motherfucker" who "didn't deserve to live" and criticized his combat decisions. Platner, a former Marine with four combat tours, acknowledged in an October 2025 video that he posted "stupid things" online while struggling with PTSD, depression, and isolation, saying he sought outlets for his rage. However, Daniels stated that while he empathizes with Platner's mental health struggles, they do not excuse the behavior, and he emphasized that apologies should go to Gold Star families rather than to him. Platner has faced multiple controversies including allegations of sexting during his marriage and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he said he obtained while drinking in Croatia unaware of its meaning.
What's missing
The article does not include Platner's campaign's response to Daniels' statements, though Fox News notes it reached out and did not immediately receive a response. Additionally, no independent verification of the Reddit account attribution or broader context about Maine voters' reception of these controversies is provided.
What different sources said
- Fox NewsRight
Purple Heart recipient mocked by Platner says PTSD does not excuse 'abhorrent behavior'
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