Democratic Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner released a video denying the accusations of sexual misconduct, disturbing and abusive behavior, and even rape — but some quickly noticed that his speech sounded familiar.
When viewed side by side with a video from disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) — who resigned after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct and assault — it was so similar that it might easily have been scripted by the same person.
WATCH:
Platner responded after former girlfriend Jenny Racicot came forward, speaking with both Politico and CNN about the night she said Platner showed up at her home and forced himself on her.
“I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me,” Platner began, speaking directly to the camera. “Any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false.”
Platner then spoke of his constituents, saying that he’d been “deeply humbled” by the amount of faith they’d placed in him and thanking them for welcoming him into their lives throughout his campaign.
“So regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful of the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins,” Platner said, adding, “As Maine goes, so goes the nation.”
Swalwell gave a remarkably similar statement in the wake of sexual misconduct and assault accusations just a few months earlier, also speaking directly to the camera.
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations,” Swalwell said at the time. “And I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly.”
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false, they’re absolutely false,” he added. “They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California.”
“I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past,” Swalwell continued. “But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position. I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me. But I think you know who I am.”
Within days of releasing the video, Swalwell had dropped out of the California gubernatorial primary — which he was leading — and resigned from Congress.
.png)
.png)
