Since the NYT published abuse and intimidation accounts from Platner's ex-girlfriends on June 4, the Maine Democratic Senate primary has been in freefall.

The Silence That Speaks Loudest

AOC — who had previously backed Platner — is now dodging direct questions about the allegations. According to Fox News, she told reporters she needs more time before commenting on the abuse allegations and Nazi tattoo claims. AOC does NOT typically need extra time to comment on anything.

She had no trouble endorsing him when he was a rising progressive star. Now that the story includes accounts of physical intimidation and a Totenkopf skull tattoo, she's suddenly thoughtful and deliberate.

Pence Weighs In — From the Other Side of the Aisle

Former Vice President Mike Pence, appearing on Fox News, called Platner's behavior "incomprehensible." That's a Republican saying what Maine Democrats won't.

When your harshest public critic this week is Mike Pence, your own party has functionally abandoned you — they just haven't said so out loud.

Fetterman Dares Platner to Release the Messages

Senator John Fetterman — who has carved out a lane as the Democrat willing to say things other Democrats won't — took a different approach. According to Fox News reporting, Fetterman dared Platner to release his messages with the women referenced in the NYT story, and said he'll "wear a suit every day" in return if Platner does.

Fetterman is the only national Democrat who seems to be engaging with the actual substance of the allegations rather than hiding behind a spokesperson.

Ro Khanna Showed Up Anyway

Representative Ro Khanna held a rally with Platner in Maine despite the ongoing scandal, as AP News reported. Khanna is one of the few national Democratic figures still physically standing next to the candidate at this point.

Khanna's presence gives Platner a lifeline — and gives Democrats cover to say the party hasn't completely walked away. It also puts Khanna on record. If more damaging details emerge before Tuesday's primary, Khanna's association is documented.

Coverage Across the Political Spectrum

Left-leaning outlets have been slow-walking the Nazi tattoo detail and the ex-girlfriend accounts. The AP's coverage emphasizes the "rally" framing — candidate holds event, scandals are mentioned — rather than the substance of what the women actually described.

Fox News is covering this extensively. The problem with their coverage isn't inaccuracy — the allegations ARE serious — it's that Fox has spent more time on this story in 48 hours than they spent on comparable Republican scandals in entire election cycles. The double standard is real, even if the facts they're reporting are accurate.

The news here is straightforward: multiple women have made serious allegations, Platner has denied them, and his party's national figures are largely silent or stalling.

The Hostin Moment

Fox News flagged a clip from "The View" where Sunny Hostin said she would "hold my nose" and vote for Platner. Hostin's comment captures the state of the Democratic Party in Maine right now — supporters are openly disgusted but still voting for the candidate.

Where This Ends

The Maine primary is days away. Platner is still on the ballot. The national party hasn't pulled support formally. AOC is thinking. Khanna is rallying. Fetterman is making suit bets. And Pence — a Republican who left politics after January 6 criticism from his own side — is the guy calling it "incomprehensible."

The voters of Maine decide Tuesday. They'll do it with the NYT report in hand, the Totenkopf detail on the record, and the knowledge that their party's biggest names couldn't find the spine to say a clear word about any of it.