Maine Democrats elected Graham Platner as their Senate nominee on Tuesday, despite a wave of explosive revelations about his Nazi tattoo and alleged aggressive behavior towards women.  With 20% of the vote reported, Platner leads the field with about 74% of the vote. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 9:07 p.m. ET. He will face off against incumbent Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in November.  It’s not yet clear what Platner’s final margin will be after all votes have been tallied, which could offer early clues on his electability this fall. “If Janet Mills’ basically defunct campaign gets 20 to 30%, Graham is in trouble come November,” NOTUS White House Correspondent Jasmine Wright warned earlier on CNN.  Platner’s decisive victory, however, deals a major blow to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who recruited and backed Maine Democratic Governor Janet Mills.  During the bitter primary, a series of damaging revelations dropped against the Senate hopeful, painting a picture of a troubled veteran with a history of infidelity and disturbing social media activity.  The Daily Wire previously uncovered that the Senate hopeful maintained an active account on a social media platform known to attract child predators. Several media outlets reported that Platner, a married man, had exchanged sexually explicit messages with several women.  In May, Platner refused to apologize after resurfaced online posts appeared to show him mocking a Purple Heart recipient who was almost killed in a firefight with the Taliban. Platner was confronted near his home in Sullivan, Maine, and asked whether he regretted a since-deleted Reddit post in which he said wounded Army veteran Ted Daniels “didn’t deserve to live,” The Daily Wire previously reported. In response, Platner attempted to defend his own military record, referring to the accusations as “slanderous and offensive.” “I did four tours in the infantry; any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive,” he said. Resurfaced Reddit posts also showed the Senate hopeful describing himself as a “communist” and denigrating cops and white people. “I got older and became a communist,” Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, wrote on a Reddit forum dubbed “antiwork” in 2021, according to CNN. He also said he was a “vegetable growing, psychedelics taking social these days” in a United States Marine Corps subreddit that same year, saying that he “still got the guns though, I don’t trust the facsists [sic] these days,” citing his past military experience in the post. “Living in white rural America, I’m afraid to tell you they actually are,” the Democrat said about white Americans. “Bastards. Cops are bastards. All of them, in fact,” Platner said in another post. In addition, the Washington Post reported multiple posts he made to Reddit in 2013 regarding sexual assault, including in the military. “Rape is a real thing. If you’re so worried about it to buy Kevlar underwear, you’d think you might not get blacked out f***ed up around people you aren’t comfortable with,” he wrote. “In today’s current climate, when every whisper of a misplaced hand brings down a feature-length film, anyone who actually thinks the military is purposefully covering up rape to save the career of some god damn [captain], is clearly both an idiot and junior enough in rank or life experience to think it matters,” Platner wrote. He also called black people cheap. “I work as a bartender, and it always amazes me how solid this stereotype is,” Platner wrote. “Every now and again a black patron will leave a 15-20% tip, but usually it [is] between 0-5%. There’s got to be a reason behind it. What is it?” Last Thursday, the latest shoe dropped, with The New York Times citing ex-girlfriends who claimed Platner engaged in a pattern of “intimidating and disturbing” behavior in their relationships and lied about not knowing the meaning of his Nazi tattoo.  Three of Platner’s ex-girlfriends described volatile and “toxic” relationships with the Senate hopeful, claiming he demeaned women, became physically threatening, and was repeatedly unfaithful. On one occasion, an ex-girlfriend accused Platner of twisting her arm, shoving her into a bedroom, and holding the door shut until she became “calm.”  The Platner campaign denied allegations of misconduct and rushed to MS NOW to do damage control.  “There are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about, are simply not true,” Platner said on the television network. “Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was, these are the statements of someone who’s politically motivated.” On election eve, Platner’s former political director blew the whistle on her former boss, alleging the Senate hopeful knew the meaning behind his Nazi tattoo and “exhibits a pattern of dishonest behavior.” In an op-ed for The Washington Post, former Maine state representative Genevieve McDonald wrote that her enthusiasm for the Platner campaign collapsed after she learned of his misconduct. “I quit the campaign in October, disturbed by what I learned about the candidate and concerned about his potential impact on the Democratic Party’s prospects in my home state,” she wrote. In September, Platner told McDonald he had a “problematic” tattoo that could raise questions, but chalked it up to it being a “military thing.” “I believed him,” she wrote in the WAPO. “Then, I began receiving calls from Washington warning me he was not who he seemed: “Have you read his oppo file?” I had not. I trusted that his out-of-state consulting team had thoroughly vetted him. Her account appears to corroborate reporting from The New York Times. The accusations cut against Platner’s previous claim that he did not understand the significance of the symbol, which was used by Nazi Germany’s SS. Most Democrats have bent over backward to excuse or downplay Platner’s conduct, though that did not stop Mills from mounting a last-ditch effort. Hayes: Did that happen? Platner: No, it did not. There are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about are simply not true. Anything alleging, physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was. These are the statements of someone… pic.twitter.com/bghFgN5z75 — Acyn (@Acyn) June 5, 2026 “People have the impression that I withdrew or dropped out, but I simply suspended active campaigning. I am still on the ballot,” she told a local outlet. That effort did not appear to pay off, with results showing a blowout victory for Platner. The Cook Political Report ranks the contentious Senate race as a toss-up. The Democratic establishment viewed Mills as the strongest candidate to defeat Collins. Meanwhile, Platner gained momentum with a leftist-populist message and secured high-profile endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The Daily Wire previously reported that leftists turned to the embattled Platner after their initial choice was found to have a major “skeleton” in his closet. Last July, two Bernie Sanders-aligned political operatives hunted for a Democrat to challenge Collins, ultimately landing on and recruiting Platner.   Platner, who brands himself as a blue-collar oyster farmer, launched his campaign on August 19 in a viral video that quickly attracted national attention from leftist activists and Democratic donors.  My name is Graham Platner and I’m running for US Senate to defeat Susan Collins and topple the oligarchy that’s destroying our country. I’m a veteran, oysterman, and working class Mainer who’s seen this state become unlivable for working people. And that makes me deeply angry. pic.twitter.com/QZfAm528N1 — Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) August 19, 2025 Trying to stop his momentum, Mills went on the attack against Platner in commercials, highlighting his scandals and running with the tagline, “Graham Platner: The closer you look, the worse it gets.” One advertisement in particular featured older women expressing disgust.  #MEPol: “Graham Platner, the closer you look, the worse it gets.” Janet Mills is up with a new #MEGov ad attacking Platner. This is the first broadcast TV attack ad in the Democratic primary. pic.twitter.com/885wLOxGmn — AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) March 17, 2026 Ultimately, her strategy failed to gain traction with an increasingly restless base eager to buck their party’s establishment. On April 30, Mills suspended her campaign.  “While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight– to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources,” Mills said in a statement.  

WASHINGTON— The United States denied entry to a Somali World Cup referee because he associated with “suspected members of terror organizations,” The Daily Wire can first report. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that Omar Artan had been denied entry after he arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.  Artan was set to officiate matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026. A senior administration official told The Daily Wire on Tuesday evening that he was seeking admission to the United States, but, upon further inspection, Customs and Border Patrol discovered  “derogatory information,” including his “association with suspected members of terror organizations.” That information made him ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). “The traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA,” the senior administration official told The Daily Wire. “President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country – full stop.” Referee Omar Artan holds the match ball during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 third place match between Colombia and France at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos on October 18, 2025 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Buda Mendes – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) On Monday, FIFA released a statement on Artan’s behalf and confirmed that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup. “Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” the Somali referee said in the statement. “I would like to thank FIFA and (the African federation) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future. I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.” CBP explained earlier on Monday that Artan was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry” during routine processing, to which all those entering the United States, including coaches, staff, and athletes, are subject. “Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” CBP noted. “CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”

Karmelo Anthony has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of high school athlete Austin Metcalf. The jury rendered the sentencing on Tuesday evening, hours after issuing a guilty verdict on a first-degree murder charge. Anthony reportedly broke down in tears when the sentencing was announced. The 19-year-old also sobbed and was visibly shaking when the guilty verdict was read hours earlier. Daily Mail reporter MaryAnn Martinez, who is inside the courtroom, said the prosecution argued before sentencing deliberations that the Metcalf family will suffer far greater than Anthony ever will, no matter the sentence. “Nothing you do with your verdict, no matter what it is, nothing you do will take more from Karmelo, Anthony, or his family, than he took from a Austin Metcalf,” attorney Dewey Mitchell said. “Karmelo Anthony’s gonna have the opportunity to continue to be a son, to continue through his life and find out what he’s interested in, maybe meet the love of his life, have children. Austin Metcalf did not have the opportunity to meet the love of his life. Didn’t have the opportunity to know what it felt like the hold a plaque of graduation, isn’t going to know what it’s like to have children with someone you love. He’s never gonna have the time with his parents, where he grows up, and he gets out of those teenage years.” Closing arguments for Karmelo Anthony sentencing: Dewey Mitchell speaking for the state “Nothing you do with your verdict, no matter what it is, nothing you do will take more from Karmelo, Anthony, or his family, than he took from a Austin Metcalf. ⁰ Karmelo Anthony’s gonna have… — MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026 Outside of closing arguments, the only person to speak during the punishment phase of the trial was Anthony’s mother. “Please have mercy on my son,” she reportedly told jurors while sobbing. The only person to take the stand in the punishment phase was Karmelo Anthony’s mother. She begged for mercy. ‘Please have mercy on my son,’ Hayes sobbed as she looked at the jury. Both sides have closed out their cases. The court is now working on a charging document and will… — MaryAnn Martinez (@MaryAnnreports) June 9, 2026 Anthony, who is black, fatally stabbed Metcalf, who was white, at a track event in April 2025 in Frisco, Texas. The case quickly garnered national attention, both due to a narrative peddled by the Anthony family and the glaring lack of coverage from the legacy media, which routinely highlights and escalates white-on-black incidents. Legal commentators have said throughout the trial that the defense had an incredibly poor showing, and the state’s case was effectively airtight. Witnesses blew apart any racial narrative peddled by the Anthony family, and video evidence showed that Anthony was not surrounded by a mob of people, but only confronted by Metcalf after he was told to leave the team’s tent up to 15 times by different people. Also, of note, witnesses say Metcalf explicitly told Anthony he would not fight him. The trial, from start to finish, lasted only nine days, including jury selection. The jury rendered a guilty verdict mere hours after they were set to deliberate. Related: Jury Reaches Verdict In Karmelo Anthony Murder Trial

South Carolina Republicans headed to the polls Tuesday to choose their party’s nominee to lead the fastest-growing state in the nation. With 41% of the vote counted, Trump-endorsed candidate Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette leads the crowded field with 29% of the vote, followed by Attorney General Alan Wilson’s 26% vote share. With no candidates passing the 50% threshold, Evette and Wilson are projected to face off again in a June 23 runoff. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 8:26 p.m. ET.  Decision Desk HQ projects Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advance in SC Governor Republican Primary#DecisionMade: 8:26 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/BoDlI7JwSb — Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) June 10, 2026 Seven Republicans competed to replace Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, State Senator Josh Kimbrell, and businessman Rom Reddy.  Polling showed a tight race with a large share of undecided voters. Kimbrell, who consistently polled in the single digits, dropped out of the race this week The results offer the latest sign of President Trump’s endorsement power, who recently intervened in the wide-open race.   “Highly Respected and very popular Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Pam Evette, is an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning. She never wavered, never let me down, and was the only South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate to Endorse me as soon as I launched my 2024 Presidential Campaign,” Trump said in a May 29 Truth Social Post.  “Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina. Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump’s endorsement appeared to blindside other Republicans in the race, including Congresswoman Mace, who chalked up the decision as political retaliation.  “I knew it was on the line when I voted to release the Epstein files, and I’m a survivor, but if the price to pay for an endorsement was to not release those files, I would never, I would never pay it,” Mace told Fox. “So I knew it was on the line, and I disagree with this endorsement, and I’m going to vote for myself.”  Rep. Nancy Mace tells Fox News Digital that she believes President Trump refused to endorse her in South Carolina’s gubernatorial race because of her vote in Congress to push for the release of the Epstein files. “If the price to pay for an endorsement was to not release those… pic.twitter.com/pVQgg1vFfA — Fox News (@FoxNews) June 7, 2026 GOP frontrunner Evette pushed back on that characterization.  “Congresswoman Mace has crossed the President many times we have seen since her time in DC,” Evette said in an interview. “She probably has a list of reasons why she was not on President Trump’s list of people he felt earned and deserved his endorsement.” NEW: @PamelaEvette responds to @NancyMace‘s claim that her push to release the Epstein files cost her Trump’s endorsement. “Mace has crossed the President many times… She probably has a list of reasons why she was not on President Trump’s list.” https://t.co/vR9is8BHkI pic.twitter.com/v8XB4MAln1 — Ryan Schmelz (@RyanSchmelzFOX) June 7, 2026 The next governor faces myriad challenges, including outdated infrastructure, a strained healthcare system, and lagging educational outcomes.  Still, people across the country continue to pack up their lives and move to the Palmetto State in record numbers. Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, South Carolina’s population grew by 1.5 percent — faster than any other state—according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “Overall, South Carolina’s population continues to grow rapidly, largely as a result of migration from other states—though growth has slowed since its pandemic-era peak, when the expansion of remote work along with elevated labor market turnover led to unusually high rates of relocation across the country,” South Carolina’s Department of Employment said in a report. The state also held Senate and congressional primaries. Voters renominated Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally seeking his fifth term, who has faced increasing criticism over his interventionist foreign policy views. Decision Desk HQ projects Lindsey Graham wins the SC US Senate Republican Primary#DecisionMade: 8:10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/9ct87yBqvz — Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) June 10, 2026 On Monday night. Trump made an 11th-hour push for Graham and Evette.  “I will be doing a TeleRally LIVE at 5:30 P.M. EST for Senator Lindsey Graham and South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate Pamela Evette — Both have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” he said on Truth Social. They will never let you down! Vote for Lindsey and Pam. They LOVE the great people of South Carolina, and so do I!!! Going into November, the Cook Political Report ranks both the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races as solid Republican.

Mass protests, fires, and clashes with police erupted across parts of Northern Ireland on Tuesday after a Sudanese national was arrested in a brutal stabbing attack that shocked Belfast.  Earlier in the day, law enforcement said the suspect shown in a graphic video pinning another man to the ground and repeatedly stabbing him in the face and neck was a Sudanese national. Witnesses intervened and attempted to pull the attacker off the victim. “He’s trying to cut his head off!” a person can be heard shouting in the video.  The suspect was arrested on attempted murder charges, but authorities have yet to release his name. The victim, identified as a man in his 40s, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.  Credit: Storyful   Hours later, demonstrations spread across Belfast. Dramatic video shows protestors torching vehicles and burning buses in the streets, creating roadblocks for passersby and setting up intense clashes with local police. Rioters are creating roadblocks by setting cars on fire in Belfast pic.twitter.com/uT7LDBb74H — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 9, 2026 One video shows a moving burning car crashing into an apartment building. A group was also seen vandalizing houses and breaking windows.