MSNBC host Joe Scarborough has strongly criticized Republicans, labeling their opposition to Democratic candidates facing allegations as "hypocritical" and urging them to "just shut up." His remarks came as Republicans have been vocal in their criticism of Democrats regarding allegations against former Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner.
Platner announced Wednesday he is withdrawing from the Maine Senate race following accusations from his ex-girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, who alleges he drunkenly raped her in 2021. Platner has denied the allegations.
During a Thursday broadcast of "Morning Joe," Scarborough addressed media figures who have labeled Platner a "rapist," noting that the candidate has "denied the charges as strongly as you can." He recalled that he and his co-host, Mika Brzezinski, had advised guests to "take a deep breath" when similar accusations were made against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation hearings, emphasizing the importance of due process.
"Republicans that are spending their time on Fox News and social media outraged that Democrats would support – dare support – a candidate who was accused of sexual impropriety, even when that candidate vehemently denied that – that is beyond hypocritical," Scarborough stated.
Scarborough also drew parallels to other Republican figures, referencing former President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to overturn a civil judgment for sexual assault allegations he denies, and Texas Senate hopeful Ken Paxton, who faces charges of securities fraud and bribery, which he also denies.
"And by the way, if you want to talk about morally challenged candidates, you don’t have to look at the White House. You don’t have to look at Republicans bowing and scraping for the past decade – just look at Texas! Look at who Republicans are behind as they’re trying to suggest that [James] Talarico is gay! ‘But look at Paxton, he’s not.’ I mean, the hypocrisy!" Scarborough exclaimed. "You know, Republicans should just really shut up. They really should just shut up. If they’re going to be critical of Democrats for supporting a morally challenged candidate, or one who has been accused of doing things that are morally challenged, it is so hypocritical."
Prior to the recent sexual assault allegations, Platner's campaign had weathered other controversies. He had faced accusations of threatening behavior towards former girlfriends, sexting other women while married, and allegedly lying about a Nazi tattoo. For a period, most Democrats supported Platner amid these earlier scandals. However, senior Democratic leaders urged him to withdraw following the rape allegations.
Democrats are now in the process of selecting a replacement candidate for the November election, where Platner was set to challenge Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins, whom they had considered vulnerable.