Controversy Surrounds Maine Democratic Senate Candidate’s Social Media Posts

Robert O’Neill, the U.S. Navy SEAL credited with killing Osama bin Laden, has shared his views on the resurfaced social media posts from Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. These posts have sparked a significant backlash recently. “Mr. Platner was way out of line talking about a soldier that way,” O’Neill told Fox News Digital after a Reddit post showed Platner criticizing a soldier injured in a battle with Taliban fighters. Platner’s comments were described as extremely harsh.

O’Neill expressed his disbelief, saying, “I don’t understand. If you swear an oath to the country, it doesn’t even matter what the politics are. Every single time you fight it’s for the man next to you, it’s for the person next to you. Politics goes out the window. And to wish ill on someone like that under fire is just, you know, like I said, it is the opposite of everything I’ve ever been raised to believe.” Platner has used his experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to address the inflammatory nature of his comments.

However, O’Neill rejected the use of PTSD as an excuse, labeling Platner’s remarks as “vile hatred.” He suggested that if Platner’s PTSD is severe enough to wish harm on American soldiers, he should seek treatment like Ibogaine therapy. Platner, a combat veteran, has also faced criticism for negative comments about “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, suggesting that Kyle inflated his number of kills by targeting civilians.

O’Neill interprets these comments as stemming from jealousy, observing that while professional jealousy exists among veterans, it’s rare to encounter such extreme expressions of it. The controversy has grown as Platner’s past inflammatory posts have come to light with Democrats in Congress avoiding addressing the matter. O’Neill criticized this silence, suggesting that focusing on party votes outweighs concern for the American public.

Some of Platner’s posts have been dismissed by his supporters as “locker room talk,” yet O’Neill argues that the overall content of the posts indicates a lack of qualification for the Senate. O’Neill references a controversial tattoo Platner has and his remarks wishing harm on soldiers as disqualifying factors.

Despite his criticisms, O’Neill acknowledges that Platner may be personally struggling, conceding that some of the comments might have been made for attention or under the influence of alcohol. “I’ve been there,” O’Neill said. He expresses a belief in forgiveness and a willingness to see how Platner proceeds in the future.