Stephen King deletes post defending Maine Senate candidate

Author Stephen King faced a wave of criticism and subsequently deleted a social media post that expressed hope Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner would not drop out of his race following a serious sexual assault allegation. The controversy unfolded over July 7 and 8, 2026, as King attempted to clarify his position while invoking a biblical verse to suggest all politicians have flaws.

The backlash was triggered by a Politico report published on July 7, in which a Maine woman, Jenny Racicot, accused Platner of sexual assault. Racicot alleged that in 2021, Platner entered her home uninvited while deeply intoxicated and forced himself on her despite her repeated protests. Platner has denied the allegation, calling it "categorically false."

In his initial, since-deleted post, King wrote, "Graham Platner may drop out. I hope he doesn't, but. Meanwhile, the Abuser in Chief just keeps on keepin' on," an apparent reference to President Donald Trump. King followed with another post stating, "Tell you what-if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, 'Let him without sin cast the first stone.'"