Terminal TDS.
Liberal horror novelist Stephen King is refusing to abandon embattled Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner — even after the candidate’s former girlfriend accused him of breaking into her home and raping her while drunk.
The allegation, detailed Tuesday in a bombshell Politico report, has thrown Platner’s already-troubled Senate campaign into crisis. His former girlfriend, Maine resident Jenny Racicot, alleged that Platner entered her home uninvited in 2021 while intoxicated and sexually assaulted her during their on-again, off-again relationship. Platner has denied the allegation.
The accusation triggered a rapid exodus of Democratic support, with prominent party figures withdrawing endorsements and urging Platner to suspend his campaign.
King, however, signaled he hopes the Democrat stays in the race.
“Graham Platner may drop out. (I hope he doesn’t, but.) Meanwhile, the Abuser in Chief just keeps on keepin’ on,” the Maine-based author of The Shining wrote on X, taking a swipe at President Donald Trump.
Graham Platner may drop out. (I hope he doesn't, but.) Meanwhile, the Abuser in Chief just keeps on keepin' on.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 6, 2026
In a separate post, King argued that moral failings are widespread in Washington.
“Tell you what—if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty,” King wrote.
Tell you what–if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, "Let him without sin cast the first stone."
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 6, 2026
He followed with a biblical reference: “Jesus said, ‘Let him without sin cast the first stone.’”
The comments quickly ignited backlash from both conservatives and liberals, many arguing King appeared to be minimizing a credible rape accusation by comparing it to the private failings of other politicians.
“‘Who among us hasn’t done a little rape???’ — Stephen King, basically,” conservative commentator Sara Gonzales wrote on X.
Dispatch Editor-in-Chief Jonah Goldberg also blasted King’s reasoning.
“So because we don’t know about hypothetical rapey legislators we should forgive the ones we do know about,” Goldberg posted.
Professor and policy consultant Adam Cochran added: “I don’t need them to be flawless. But I do need them to not be credibly accused of rape. That’s a pretty reasonable ask Stephen.”
Racicot described the alleged 2021 encounter in detail in interviews with Politico, saying Platner forced himself on her despite repeated objections after arriving at her home intoxicated. Platner has categorically denied the allegation and has said he is considering the future of his campaign.
King’s decision to publicly defend Platner, even as fellow Democrats distance themselves from the candidate, has now made the bestselling author part of the growing political firestorm surrounding the race.
Rabid lefty Stephen King sticks by alleged rapist Graham Platner https://t.co/PzB3sFNzLO pic.twitter.com/80sfnk140f
— New York Post (@nypost) July 7, 2026
