Author Stephen King deleted a social media post that appeared to back Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, who is facing a sexual assault allegation. King had initially written that he hoped Platner "doesn't" drop out of the race, prompting criticism that he was dismissing the allegation, before deleting the post and later clarifying that he was "not defending" the candidate.

The controversy follows claims by Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, who told Politico that Platner entered her home uninvited and forced her to have sex in 2021 despite her repeated objections, describing him as "almost blackout drunk"; Platner denied the account. Numerous prominent Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have called on Platner to suspend his campaign. King's deleted post had contrasted Platner with President Trump, whom he called the "Abuser in Chief," and a follow-up post invoking the biblical line "let him without sin cast the first stone" drew further backlash, with critics such as commentator Kevin Dalton accusing him of walking back his stance.