Bill Maher Endorses Graham Platner in Maine Senate Race

Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher has endorsed Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, urging voters to support him despite what Maher described as a deeply troubling personal history. Maher made the case during his "New Rules" segment on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" on Friday, June 12, 2026.

Maher argued that the Democratic Party's chance to retake the U.S. Senate in the November 2026 election hinges on winning the Maine race, where Platner is challenging longtime Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Democrats need to flip four seats to regain control of the chamber.

While endorsing Platner, Maher cataloged a series of controversies surrounding the candidate. These include allegations from former partners of "scary behavior," past social media posts where Platner reportedly described himself as a communist, made derogatory statements about police and Black people, and admitted to sexting while married. Maher also highlighted a tattoo on Platner's chest that resembled the Nazi "Deaths Head" symbol. Platner has said he got the tattoo drunkenly in Croatia in 2007 without knowing its meaning and has since had it covered.