A Purple Heart recipient who survived being shot four times in Afghanistan isn’t exactly buying the excuses coming from Maine Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner—and he’s making that crystal clear.
U.S. Army veteran Teddy Daniels delivered a blunt, no-frills response after Platner doubled down in a recent video confrontation, refusing to apologize for a now-deleted Reddit post that allegedly said Daniels “didn’t deserve to live” after a viral helmet-cam video of his 2012 firefight made the rounds.
Fox News Digital reported on the escalating controversy involving Platner’s resurfaced online history, the veteran says the issue isn’t hurt feelings—it’s basic accountability.
Daniels, a former Republican candidate for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor, didn’t even pretend to be outraged on command. Instead, he essentially shrugged off the idea of an apology altogether.
“I saw the video and honestly, I don’t want an apology. I don’t need an apology,” Daniels said. “I consider the source of where the comment came from… in order for me to worry about what you say — first I have to respect you.”
That respect, in his view, is nonexistent. “There’s zero-to-no respect for a self-proclaimed communist,” Daniels added, in reference to Platner’s alleged past online remarks. “Some guys run towards gunfire and other guys run toward keyboards.”
The controversy centers on a deleted Reddit account allegedly tied to Platner, under the username “P-Hustle,” where he reportedly reacted to Daniels’ combat video by writing that the soldier “didn’t deserve to live,” along with other insults and remarks suggesting Daniels only survived due to Taliban “poor marksmanship.” The posts remain archived in public databases of his deleted online activity.
Platner has acknowledged owning the account but has not meaningfully distanced himself from all of the content, instead leaning on explanations tied to PTSD and youthful online behavior.
That justification isn’t landing with Daniels. “I think Graham Platner is using his PTSD as a crutch, as a means to avoid accountability for his actions,” he said. “I have PTSD… I could understand how there might be moments… but this appears to be a continuing course of conduct.”
Daniels also pushed back on claims from Platner supporters that the posts were just “locker room talk,” calling that defense laughable. “Graham Platner and his privileged background wouldn’t know the first thing about locker room talk,” he said. “This… is beyond locker room talk. It is just vile and disgusting.”
The veteran went further, arguing the real apology shouldn’t be directed at him at all, but rather at those Platner has allegedly disparaged over the years. “If anyone deserves an apology, it’s my children and the children and widow of Chris Kyle,” Daniels said, referring to the famed Navy SEAL sniper. “He owes them an apology to their face.”
Platner has also faced scrutiny over past remarks about Chris Kyle, in which he suggested the “American Sniper” hero may have exaggerated or targeted civilians—claims that have long been a flashpoint in veteran circles.
For Daniels, the issue goes beyond politics. It’s about character, and what kind of behavior gets brushed off as acceptable in public life. And in his view, this isn’t a misunderstanding—it’s a pattern.
So, no apology. Got it. pic.twitter.com/8xEPsCGZiW
— thedailybs w/ Snerdley (@thedailybs_Bo) May 27, 2026
