Platner faces pressure in Maine as NATO leaders meet in Ankara

Graham Platner is under growing pressure to leave Maine’s U.S. Senate race after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault, NPR reported. The allegation threatens a contest NPR’s Elena Moore described as important to Democrats’ effort to win back Senate control this fall.

Politico reported that the woman said Platner entered her home in 2021 while intoxicated and forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. NPR said Politico reported corroborating the woman’s account by reviewing older messages between her and her therapist and by speaking with people she had told about the alleged assault.

NPR said it has not independently verified the claims. In a statement to NPR, Platner denied the allegation, calling it “troubling, serious, and false.”

Moore told NPR’s Up First that Platner posted a video saying he is weighing what to do next. She said Platner has previously faced other claims about his conduct toward women, but this is the first time a major news organization has reported an allegation of assault against him.

NPR reported that the accusation follows other controversies surrounding Platner’s campaign. His campaign previously confirmed reports that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women early in his marriage, according to NPR.

Democratic lawmakers are now calling for Platner to withdraw, NPR reported. Under Maine election law, NPR said, a general election candidate has until the second Monday in July to leave the race.

NATO summit opens under pressure from Trump

President Trump and NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara, Turkey, for the alliance’s annual summit, NPR reported. The gathering comes as Trump continues to criticize the alliance and as the war in Ukraine and the unresolved U.S.-led conflict with Iran weigh on allied governments.

Before arriving, Trump wrote on social media July 2 that “The United States spends more money on NATO than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing,” according to NPR.

NPR’s Hadeel Al-Shalchi said the first day of the summit is meant to project unity and credibility. She reported that the message is complicated by U.S. plans to reduce its footprint in Europe and by a six-month Pentagon review of American forces there.

Alliance leaders are expected to discuss higher defense spending, investments in military capabilities and continued support for Ukraine as part of efforts to deter Russia, Al-Shalchi reported. NPR said allies are also expected to reaffirm a pledge to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense and broader security needs, above NATO’s earlier target.

Al-Shalchi said Trump has argued that NATO members depend too much on the United States. That puts added pressure on European allies at this summit to show they are prepared to increase their own commitments, according to NPR.

This story draws on original reporting from NPR.