Rep. Ro Khanna on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," June 7, 2026
The following is the transcript of the interview with Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on June 7, 2026.
TL;DR
- Rep. Ro Khanna is supporting Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, a progressive with an anti-establishment message.
- Platner has faced scrutiny over past actions, including sending sexually explicit texts, having a Nazi symbol tattoo, and making insulting social media posts.
- Khanna acknowledges Platner's behavior was 'misogynistic' and 'shameful' but states there is no evidence of violence or sexual assault, which he considers a 'red line'.
- Khanna believes Platner has taken accountability for his past actions, attributing some of his issues to PTSD and alcohol from his military service.
- The core issues Platner is running on, according to Khanna, are national health insurance, taxing billionaires, and opposing foreign wars, which contrast with Susan Collins' stances.
- Khanna advocates against attacking accusers or journalists, stating that the campaign itself is a vetting process and voters are focused on Platner's platform.
- Khanna emphasizes that while Platner's past behavior is acknowledged as shameful, his willingness to take accountability differentiates him from figures like Donald Trump.