Taya Kyle, the widow of ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle, has publicly criticized Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner for his recent comments regarding her late husband. Platner, a progressive Democrat, alleged that Chris Kyle inflated his military record by claiming to have shot innocent civilians. Taya Kyle responded to these accusations during an appearance on ‘The Sunday Briefing,’ describing Platner’s remarks as ‘cowardly’ and a ‘cheap political trick.’
Controversial Comments
Platner’s comments were made during a 2024 episode of the ‘Green Beret Chronicle Show,’ a podcast focused on military affairs. He suggested that Kyle’s reported kill numbers were inflated due to indiscriminate firing, a claim that Taya Kyle strongly refuted. She argued that Platner’s statements were an attempt to gain notoriety by attacking a national hero who is no longer alive to defend himself.
‘Nothing says, I want attention more than disparaging a national hero who’s also dead,’ Taya Kyle remarked. She emphasized that such tactics show a lack of character and leadership, disqualifying Platner in her view.
Backlash and Defense
Platner, who is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, has faced criticism not only from Taya Kyle but also from Robert O’Neill, the U.S. Navy SEAL credited with killing Osama bin Laden. O’Neill condemned Platner’s comments as ‘way out of line,’ particularly in light of a resurfaced Reddit post where Platner mocked a wounded U.S. soldier.
Platner, a Marine Corps veteran, has cited his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a factor in his past incendiary social media posts. However, O’Neill and others have rejected this explanation, arguing that PTSD does not justify such ‘vile hatred.’
The controversy surrounding Platner’s remarks and his past social media activity has put his Senate campaign under scrutiny. As the election approaches, these issues may influence voters’ perceptions of his candidacy and his ability to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
