Jodi Kantor's Double Standard: Redefining #MeToo to Protect Democratic Candidate Platner
Source: "Jodi Kantor explains why Democrats can back Maine's Platner despite abuse claims | Fox News." June 13, 2026. www.foxnews.com
The Gist
Jonathan Turley argues that New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor is being hypocritical by downplaying abuse allegations against a Democratic Senate candidate while previously treating similar allegations against Republicans as serious #MeToo violations. He claims she's changing the rules to protect someone on her political side.
Conclusion
Jodi Kantor and liberal media are applying hypocritical double standards by dismissing abuse allegations against Democratic candidate Graham Platner while previously treating similar allegations against conservatives as serious #MeToo violations
Premises
- Kantor distinguished Platner's abuse allegations as 'not classic MeToo accusations' because they occurred in consensual relationships rather than workplace settings
- Kantor previously grouped diverse allegations (Al Franken, Brett Kavanaugh, Jeffrey Epstein) under the #MeToo banner without making such distinctions
- The allegations against Platner include serious claims of physical abuse, including locking a woman in a room overnight and leaving marks on her body
- Kantor minimized these allegations by characterizing them as merely giving women 'a view into him' rather than actual abuse
- During the Brett Kavanaugh controversy, similar rationalizations would have 'produced a torrent of condemnations' from the same people now defending Platner
- Kantor's current approach represents a return to the partisan 'older pattern' she previously criticized of treating allegations differently based on political affiliation
Assumptions
- The #MeToo movement should apply consistent standards regardless of political affiliation
- Physical abuse allegations should be treated seriously regardless of the relationship context
- Media figures should maintain consistent principles rather than adjust standards for political convenience
- Kantor's previous statements represent her genuine beliefs rather than strategic positioning