{"id":5165,"date":"2026-07-07T14:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/07\/i-was-testing-people-trump-chides-nato-allies-on-iran-war-response-ahead-of-summit-us-politics-live\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:00:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:00:42","slug":"i-was-testing-people-trump-chides-nato-allies-on-iran-war-response-ahead-of-summit-us-politics-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=5165","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I was testing people\u2019: Trump chides Nato allies on Iran war response ahead of summit \u2013 US politics live"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello and welcome to the US politics<\/a> live blog.<\/p>\n

Maine\u2019s Democratic party leadership has called for US Senate<\/a> candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race, as the scandal-hit Marine veteran loses support from his previously most vocal backers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It comes as Politico reported that Jenny Racicot, a 41-year-old Maine resident who previously dated Platner \u2013 whose insurgent rise has drawn comparisons to president Donald Trump<\/a> \u2013 accused him of forcing her to have sex in late 2021.<\/p>\n

Platner rejected the allegation and, in a video message posted to X after the report was published, called the allegations \u201ctroubling, serious and false.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, many top Democratic figures have called on the beleaguered nominee to step down. In a joint statement, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Kirsten Gillibrand said Platner should \u201cimmediately withdraw\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ro Khanna, the California representative who has been one of Platner\u2019s most vocal supporters<\/a>, alsosaid he should drop out. \u201cI\u2019ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line,\u201d he wrote on X. \u201cThese allegations are very serious and credible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I am withdrawing my endorsement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator who endorsed Platner in March, said in a statement \u201cthere can be no tolerance for sexual assault\u201d. She said: \u201cWith so much at stake, the best path forward is for Graham Platner to step aside as the Democratic nominee and address these serious allegations outside this Senate race.\u201d<\/p>\n

The allegation lands at a perilous moment for Democrats, who view Maine<\/a> as a central battleground in their effort to regain control of the Senate in November\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n

Read the latest story here:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Calls grow for Graham Platner to drop out after sexual assault allegation<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

In other developments:<\/p>\n