Sen. John Fetterman unloaded on Sen. Bernie Sanders Monday night, arguing the Vermont independent owes an apology for championing disgraced Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner despite mounting warning signs about his behavior.
“I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said during a Fox News appearance, hours after former Platner girlfriend Jenny Racicot publicly accused the Senate hopeful of breaking into her home and raping her in 2021.
Fetterman said Sanders should “apologize to the victims, especially the woman that — she claimed that he raped her.”
“I don’t know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people,” he added. “Maybe he should consider [sitting] a few out and stop pushing these kind of communists.”
🚨 WOW! Democrat Sen. John Fetterman just OBLITERATED Bernie Sanders and demanded he apologize for pushing COMMUNISTS like Senate candidate Graham Platner — now credibly accused of r*pe
"Honestly, I would really call Bernie Sanders to APOLOGIZE for PUSHING this kind of PREDATOR.… pic.twitter.com/zWtNEXsVcJ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 6, 2026
The Pennsylvania senator also criticized other Democrats who rallied behind Platner before the allegations surfaced.
“I know Democrats that have, you know, back-to-back endorsed and got all in on [disgraced former Rep. Eric] Swalwell and were on the Platner train as well, too,” Fetterman said. “So, maybe stop, you know, getting [in] bed with absolute dirt bags, someone like Platner.”
Sanders was one of Platner’s earliest and highest-profile supporters, endorsing the progressive candidate in August of last year shortly after he launched his long-shot Senate campaign.
As of Tuesday morning, Sanders had not joined fellow Democrats — including Sen. Elizabeth Warren — in withdrawing his endorsement. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sanders defended Platner last month after another former girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, accused him of physical abuse.
“I’m sure he’s not a saint,” Sanders told CNN at the time.
“He went through some very bloody and horrible situations,” Sanders added. “He has acknowledged that he came back with PTSD. He’s had his share of problems.”
Fetterman predicted Platner’s campaign is effectively finished.
“He’s a dead man walking. I don’t know why he’s trying to pretend that he’s not done,” he said.
Asked whether he had a message for the embattled Senate candidate, Fetterman didn’t hold back.
“I don’t have anything to say to that trash bag,” he said. “But now for me, my thoughts are with the poor women that have been brutalized by him. And I want to salute the courage [of] the woman to come forward and all the people that dismissed the women, you know … maybe look in the mirror.”
Platner has denied the rape allegation and previously denied allegations of physical abuse.
John Fetterman on Graham Platner: “I don't have anything to say to that trash bag, you know, and he's a dead man walking politically.” pic.twitter.com/O2fZUjRrcG
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) July 7, 2026
