US President Donald Trump gave a notably ambivalent response on Wednesday night to the sexual assault allegation that derailed the Senate campaign of Maine Democrat Graham Platner. Asked by a reporter whether Maine Democrats should be allowed to replace Platner, Trump did not answer directly but appeared to leave room for a defence of the candidate, remarking that the matter came down to "whether or not you believe the woman" and adding that "a lot of people say big falsehoods." The comments are significant because they cut against the near-unanimous condemnation of Platner from figures in both parties.

Trump acknowledged that the most recent and most damaging claim — that Platner had sex with a woman without her consent — had left the candidate, who denies the allegations, "in a bind," and suggested his likely defeat was a reason Democrats might want to replace him. He also drew a comparison, saying that when "a Republican woman came out with the same charge, nobody believed her," whereas Platner's accuser was widely believed. Online commentators suggested Trump was sympathetic because he too has faced allegations of sexual impropriety.