Jodi Kantor told CNN that allegations against Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner were “not classic MeToo accusations,” saying they mostly arose from consensual relationships and involved one claim of crossing a physical line.
That defense came despite accusations from former girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield, who said Platner twisted her arm, shoved her into a bedroom and held the door shut overnight, alongside claims he sexted women and dismissed rape victims.
Prominent Democrats including Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren have still celebrated Platner’s nomination, while “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin said she would “hold my nose” and vote for him to help Democrats retake power.
The dispute has revived comparisons with past #MeToo-era standards, with critics arguing Kantor’s narrower definition of abuse conflicts with broader frameworks once applied in fights over Brett Kavanaugh, Al Franken and Donald Trump.