Stephen King deletes social media posts in connection with Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, who faces backlash after a former girlfriend accuses him of rape. Multiple outlets report that King initially posted in a way that appeared to defend Platner after a Politico report detailed allegations from Platner’s former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot. After receiving widespread criticism, King removes the earlier post and later clarifies his stance in follow-up tweets, according to reports. Fox News and Mediaite say King described that he was not “defending” Platner, while also walking back his earlier remarks. The Hill similarly reports that King, a Maine resident, deleted a post defending Platner after the Politico report surfaced and after the comments drew public outrage. The Washington Times also reports King deleted two social media posts following a wave of backlash over his handling of the rape allegation. Sources agree on the core sequence: allegations against Platner emerge through a Politico report, King posts what is interpreted as support, then deletes the posts amid criticism and issues clarifying comments.