Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), has accused the New York Times and Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of colluding to delay the publication of damaging allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.
Scott contends that the Times withheld a "bombshell story" in June, a month before more recent, serious allegations emerged, to provide Democrats time to replace Platner and attempt to retain power in the Senate. "We should have seen this information long ago," Scott stated in remarks obtained by Fox News. "But what they've done is they've made a decision to keep him in the race as long as possible so that they had more time to make the necessary change to try to hold onto that power and, frankly, gain power in Maine."
Allegations against Platner have surfaced over nearly a year, beginning with reports last fall of him dancing intoxicated and displaying a Nazi tattoo. This was followed by a recent report alleging he raped his ex-girlfriend, Jenny Racicot.
The New York Times denied Scott's claims. "The Senator’s speculation is flatly untrue," a spokesperson for the Times, Charlie Stadtlander, told Fox News Digital.
According to Scott, a story published by the Times in June revealed that multiple women, including Racicot, alleged Platner was aware of his Nazi tattoo before it became public and that he exhibited "unsettling behavior" with women and displayed intimidating tendencies. Scott suggested that this reporting was strategically delayed.
A source familiar with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) told Fox News Digital that the DSCC "had no involvement" in the New York Times story. Schumer did not respond to a request for comment.
Scott further argued that the Democrats' "sudden dismissal" of Platner after previously supporting him indicates a prioritization of power over principle. "Their primary objective is power over principle, and politics over policy," he said. "They are more interested in stealing the power so they can control the public."