By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-hes-a-thug-trump-says-of-maine-senate-candidate-graham-platner Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: 'He's a thug,' Trump says of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner Politics Jun 10, 2026 3:32 PM EDT President Donald Trump spoke at length on Wednesday about Democrat Graham Platner, who clinched Maine's Democratic Senate nomination on Tuesday. Watch the clip in the video player above. Trump said Platner "is a thug. He's a cheap, no-good person." He also called him "fake" and "phony." READ MORE: 5 takeaways from the latest midterm primaries, with Platner's win and mixed results for Trump support The president mentioned the numerous accusations against Platner and wondered what would happen if Republicans had a candidate like that. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump himself has faced numerous accusations about his past treatment of women, including being found liable for sexual abuse. The president also has endorsed Senate hopeful Ken Paxton, a Texas Republican with a checkered public past. READ MORE: Defying Trump ended some Republicans' careers. It could help Susan Collins Trump also, unprompted, mentioned Jeffrey Epstein, faulting Democrats for fixating on Epstein while still backing Platner. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump spoke at length on Wednesday about Democrat Graham Platner, who clinched Maine's Democratic Senate nomination on Tuesday. Watch the clip in the video player above. Trump said Platner "is a thug. He's a cheap, no-good person." He also called him "fake" and "phony." READ MORE: 5 takeaways from the latest midterm primaries, with Platner's win and mixed results for Trump support The president mentioned the numerous accusations against Platner and wondered what would happen if Republicans had a candidate like that. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump himself has faced numerous accusations about his past treatment of women, including being found liable for sexual abuse. The president also has endorsed Senate hopeful Ken Paxton, a Texas Republican with a checkered public past. READ MORE: Defying Trump ended some Republicans' careers. It could help Susan Collins Trump also, unprompted, mentioned Jeffrey Epstein, faulting Democrats for fixating on Epstein while still backing Platner. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now