U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) is catching some serious heat for exploding on a Fox News reporter and violently slapping the individual’s phone out of their hand. The encounter was captured on video and is being widely shared across all major social media platforms. In the clip, Moulton can be seen smacking the reporter’s phone to the ground while being asked a question concerning a recent political endorsement.
The question that set Moulton off concerned whether he backs the highly controversial Maine Democrat Graham Platner as his party’s nominee for a Senate seat in the state of Maine. The Massachusetts Democrat didn’t like the question one bit, striking the recording device in the reporter’s hand and causing it to slam to the ground.
Moulton then allegedly said something along the lines of “Do a better job hanging on to your phone!” The altercation between the two only lasted 23 seconds. Reports concerning the incident reveal that Moulton made no physical contact with the reporter himself, only his equipment. As of this writing, there have been no reports of injury or property damage caused by the congressman’s temper tantrum
According to a report from Trending Politics News, the question about Platner comes as the Maine Senate race continues to heat up, especially for Democrats. Platner, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who now operates an oyster farm, scored a victory in the primary race which means he will be going head-to-head with GOP. Sen. Susan Collins, the incumbent, later this year.
Much of Platner’s campaign messaging has centered on issues veterans face along with narratives that paint him up to be anti-establishment. Much of the controversy surrounding the Maine Democrat stems from online comments he’s made concerning race and sexual assault, not to mention a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, which he later had covered up.
Critics have also cited text messages Platner sent to a woman other than his wife and descriptions from former acquaintances who have detailed disturbing patterns of behavior. Moulton, who is also a veteran of the Marine Corps, previously discussed certain aspects of Platner’s record. During an appearance on CNN in May 2026, the Massachusetts congressman described the tattoo as a mistake that should be set aside as Platner took responsibility for it and did not see it as something that should disqualify him from the race.
Moulton has developed a reputation for supporting newer generations of veterans running for public office and has endorsed several such candidates through his Serve America PAC in past races. He has not yet put out an official endorsement of Platner for the race in Maine. Moulton is currently in the middle of a campaign for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts against incumbent Democratic Sen. Ed Markey.
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The Maine race between Platner and Collins is continuing to captivate the entire country and is being viewed as highly competitive. The news coverage of the election has noted that Moulton has not provided an official endorsement of Platner as of this writing, despite his earlier comments that were largely supportive of the oyster farmer.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video