Graham Platner and Bernie Sanders Rally Against Corporatism in Maine

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner joined Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Monday to express progressive views and criticize Republican Senator Susan Collins, alongside U.S. weapons expenditures related to conflicts in Gaza and Iran.

Platner, the presumptive Democratic candidate, aims to unseat Collins in the upcoming election. He delivered passionate remarks during a ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally in Portland, an event organized by Sanders to energize progressive supporters and strengthen grassroots organization before the midterms. The event was part of several stops that Sanders made in Maine, including visits with Platner and gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson.

At the rally, Platner emphasized anti-corporate sentiment, urging the crowd to launch a ‘political revolution’ and reclaim ‘what is ours.’ He stated, ‘We are taking back what is ours. We’re going to take it back from the corporations that seek profit, no matter the cost from the billionaires for whom greed is the point, and from corrupt politicians like Susan Collins, corrupt politicians who have sold us out.’ Platner criticized Collins, claiming her politics favor millionaire politicians while denying substantial benefits to the public.

Throughout the rally, Platner echoed Sanders’ economic themes, accusing health insurance executives of exploiting people. He remarked, ‘They line their pockets with our blood, sweat, and tears.’

Discussing foreign policy, Platner expressed concerns about the allocation of American tax dollars, suggesting such funds are better used for schools and hospitals domestically rather than military actions abroad. ‘Our tax dollars can build schools and hospitals in America instead of bombs to drop on them in Gaza and Iran,’ he added.

Sanders took the stage, highlighting Platner’s potential impact on progressive change in America, exclaiming, ‘You elect Graham Platner senator, you’re going to transform America.’

The Vermont senator tied Platner to his tax initiatives targeting the ultra-wealthy, proposing a 5% annual wealth tax on 938 billionaires in America. Sanders emphasized Platner’s readiness to support this tax measure. This legislation was introduced earlier this year with the intention to impose such a wealth tax.

Sanders also portrayed Platner as a partner in the fight against the power held by major tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Sanders warned about the dominance of a few billionaires over the future of artificial intelligence and robotics. ‘Graham understands… we are not going to let a handful of billionaires control the future of this country,’ he declared.

Bonny Chu is a Breaking and Trending News Writer for Fox News Digital.