‘White men get to fail’: Graham Platner collapse illuminates toxic double standard in US politics

Expectations that prioritize privileged identities keep women and people of color from even running for office

Since Kamala Harris's defeat to Donald Trump in 2024, Democrats have chased candidates who exude an ever-elusive authenticity". For many on the left, the answer was Graham Platner, a military veteran turned oyster farmer with a gravelly voice and deep hostility toward the political establishment.

Even as controversy after controversy emerged - racist, sexist, homophobic online posts; a tattoo widely recognized as a Nazi symbol, which he later covered up; sexually explicit messages sent to other women while he was married; and allegations from former partners of toxic and threatening behavior, which he denied - Platner's momentum didn't slow. It was only after a woman accused Platner of rape - which he denies - that his political support collapsed.