Trump launches personal attack, labels Graham Platner ‘thug’ and ‘cheap pig’

WASHINGTON, DC: A sharp attack from President Donald Trump has thrust Maine's Senate race back into the national spotlight, with the president unleashing one of his most personal criticisms yet against Democratic nominee Graham Platner.

Speaking on Wednesday, June 10, in the Oval Office, Trump repeatedly labeled Platner a "thug" and suggested Democrats were ignoring serious questions surrounding the candidate's past.

Trump unloads on Maine Democrat

President Donald Trump delivered a blistering assessment of Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, escalating his criticism just as Republicans intensify efforts to hold Maine's pivotal Senate seat.

Backing incumbent Sen Susan Collins, Trump portrayed Platner as fundamentally unfit for federal office and expressed disbelief that national Democrats continue to support his candidacy despite a growing list of controversies.

"I watched that thug that's up in Maine. He's a thug," Trump said. "They're trying to make excuses for him."

The president continued his attack by comparing Platner unfavorably to political opponents he has faced in the past.

"I know thugs. I've dealt with thugs. I built a lot of buildings. I dealt with the toughest people on Earth," Trump said. "This guy's a thug. He's a low-level thug."

Trump reserved some of his harshest language for what he described as the Democratic Party's willingness to overlook allegations and scandals surrounding the candidate.

"I've never seen a person like that run for office," Trump said, arguing that Platner's record should be receiving far more scrutiny from Democratic leaders.

At another point, Trump mocked Platner's public image, saying, "He's like a pig. That's what he reminds me of. I don't want to stick him with that one, although I think pigs would be very upset about it."

The president also referred to the Democrat as a "cheap, no good person" while praising Collins as "a sane person" and urging voters to keep her in office.

Controversies shadow Platner's campaign

Trump's remarks come as Platner continues to face questions stemming from allegations and personal controversies that have dominated portions of the Maine Senate race.

The Democrat has denied allegations involving physical misconduct toward former girlfriends.

However, the issue returned to the spotlight shortly before the primary when former campaign director Genevieve McDonald publicly broke with him.

In a widely discussed opinion piece, McDonald argued that Platner displayed what she described as "a pattern of dishonest behavior" and wrote that she became "one of the Platner campaign's first gaslighting casualties."

Her criticism added to existing scrutiny surrounding the candidate, including questions about past online activity and other personal controversies that have surfaced during the campaign.

Despite the criticism, top Democrats have continued to rally behind Platner following his primary victory.

Senate Democratic leaders have publicly backed his campaign and expressed confidence that he can mount a serious challenge against Collins in November.