Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Accused of Rape by Former Girlfriend
"One of the reasons I didn't come forward sooner was the huge moral conflict that I had between supporting his politics but not supporting him as a person. I know that he is capable of putting his hands on women."
About this episode
Host Dave Rubin presents a Tuesday news briefing focused on two major stories: a sexual assault allegation against a Senate candidate and the launch of a new federal savings program. Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner faces a serious rape accusation from former girlfriend Jenny Rascott, who alleges he assaulted her in 2021 after she explicitly told him not to visit. Rascott's account is corroborated by therapist correspondence, Facebook messages, and witness testimony from a subsequent boyfriend she confided in. The incident allegedly occurred when Platner entered her unlocked home while drunk and forced himself on her despite repeated refusals. Under Maine law, the statute of limitations for rape extends 20 years, though Rascott did not file a police report at the time. Platner has categorically denied the allegations and postponed campaign events while considering the future of his challenge to Senator Susan Collins. The accusation follows previous controversies, including a 2013 Reddit comment suggesting women who get drunk bear responsibility for being raped. In other news, President Trump rang the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange from the Oval Office to launch "Trump savings accounts," tax-advantaged investment accounts for children under 18. Nearly six million Americans have enrolled, with 1.4 million children born between 2025 and 2028 receiving an initial $1,000 government contribution. Corporate donors including Michael Dell ($6.25 billion) and Nicki Minaj ($300,000) have contributed to the program, which allows families to invest in index funds focused on American companies.
Key takeaways
- Graham Platner faces rape accusation from ex-girlfriend Jenny Rascott who alleges 2021 assault backed by therapist records and witness corroboration.
- Rascott claims Platner entered her home uninvited while drunk and forced himself on her despite repeated refusals and clear lack of consent.
- Maine Senate candidate Platner has denied the allegations and postponed campaign events while evaluating his race against Susan Collins.
- President Trump launched Trump savings accounts with New York Stock Exchange bell ceremony, marking first time sitting president has rung opening bell.
- Nearly six million Americans enrolled in new tax-advantaged accounts for children, with 1.4 million qualifying for initial $1,000 government seed money.
- Major corporate donors contributed billions to program including Michael Dell at $6.25 billion and entertainer Nicki Minaj at $300,000.
- The accounts allow tax-free growth until age 18 when they convert to traditional IRAs, with annual contribution limits of $5,000 per child.