Media Malpractice Might Be Underlying Big Story Of Graham Platner Accusations
Drop Site journalist Ryan Grim authenticated messages Wednesday showing that Politico omitted a key detail about the sexual assault allegations against Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.
A Politico reporter obtained Jenny Racicot’s text messages between herself and Platner, in which she reportedly told him she needed her “glute massaged” before telling him not to come over. The reporter mentioned this message to the Platner campaign, but later said the detail “didn’t make [their] story.”
In an interview with Politico, Racicot accused Platner of entering her home uninvited in 2021 and forcibly having sex with her without her consent. She later told CNN’s Jake Tapper that Platner had “taken something I said as an invitation,” though Tapper did not follow up and ask her to share the specifics.
🚨NEW: Drop Site journalist Ryan Grim has authenticated behind-the-scenes messages showing Politico omitted an important detail from its reporting on how the night began that led to the rape allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.
Before publication, a… pic.twitter.com/qpM8wADCcW
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) July 8, 2026
A Politico spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation the outlet gave Platner’s campaign “ample opportunity to respond” and that it would include the context if further information arose.
“This story is based on extensive reporting and interviews and reflects our editorial standards,” the spokesperson said. “In interviews with us and in accounts she gave to other outlets, Jenny Racicot said that she told Graham Platner not to come to her home and that he nevertheless showed up there uninvited. POLITICO gave Platner and his campaign ample opportunity to respond to our reporting and to provide any information or documentation they believed contradicted it. If presented with information that materially challenges our reporting, we will report it.” (Read more from “Media Malpractice Might Be Underlying Big Story Of Graham Platner Accusations” HERE)
