Mark Levin Podcast – May 1, 2026
Episode: "Graham Platner: The Antisemitic Candidate Democrats Are Backing"
Main Theme
In this episode, Mark Levin investigates the Democratic Party's support for Graham Platner, the controversial Senate nominee in Maine, accused of antisemitism, Nazi sympathies, support for Hamas, and inflammatory remarks about women and rape. Levin delves into why leading Democrats and progressive figures are backing Platner despite his checkered past, criticizing not only the Democratic establishment but also voices on the far right, whom he accuses of converging with leftist antisemitic and anti-American rhetoric. The episode transitions to a discussion on progressive media, the dangers of platforming extremist views, and concludes with a segment featuring Professor Randy Barnett on crime and corruption in Chicago.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Who Is Graham Platner?
[02:14–06:24]
- Platner is "presumed to be the Democrat nominee for Senate in Maine," having forced out incumbent Governor Janet Mills with support from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Chuck Schumer.
- Levin draws attention to Platner's alleged antisemitic statements and past, including:
- Being "pro-Hamas" and crediting Hamas's 2014 actions as “a competent military operation.”
- Admitting to having had a Nazi tattoo, which he attributes to PTSD from his military service.
- Making misogynistic comments about women and rape (e.g., "women can avoid rape if they act like adults").
Quote:
"But he had one thing going for him which is the gained attention for his anti Semitism that is ticket to success in the Democrat party." — Mark Levin [02:49]
- Co-host sarcastically notes the Democratic response: "He was just going through a phase... after he was in the military." [03:42]
2. Mainstream & Progressive Support for Platner
[06:24–10:52]
- Levin criticizes Democratic leaders for not disavowing Platner, even as his controversial record mounts:
- Chuck Schumer, “who claims to be Jewish, refuses to oppose him.” [04:41]
- The Democratic establishment is portrayed as desperate for power regardless of the candidate’s past.
- Jon Stewart (referred to by Levin as "John Leibowitz") is highlighted for giving Platner a softball interview, framing him as an outsider and anti-establishment hero.
Quote:
“All these tough guys... they're all lining up. Van Hollen is all in... Schumer’s all in. This is the Democrat Party, America.” — Mark Levin [43:06]
3. Media and Platforming of Extremism
[07:32–16:35; 18:26–28:02]
- Levin rails against the idea that free speech means private companies must “platform Nazis and Islamists and all the rest,” referencing guests like Hasan Piker and the reach of podcasters like Tucker Carlson.
- He suggests that much of the reach of controversial right-wing media is driven by “foreign bots” and a non-American audience.
- Levin accuses leftist and so-called “woke right” voices (including Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nick Fuentes) of being weaponized by mainstream and left-wing media to damage Republicans and conservatives.
Quote:
"This is why people call monetary gold... the best of the best." — Mark Levin [20:09; as a segue to his broader point about trust and integrity in media and institutions]
4. Shift to Supreme Court and Voting Rights
[60:02–72:44]
- Levin reviews Democratic outrage over a Supreme Court decision striking down race-based gerrymandering.
- He argues the Democrats want racial districts to secure seats and maintain power, exposing hypocrisy when Republicans or conservatives are harmed (e.g., black GOP Rep. Burgess Owens losing his seat).
- He highlights threats to the Court and conservative justices from Democratic leadership (notably Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer), framing this as a dangerous precedent.
Quote:
“Let me tell you, you little jerk... You don’t own the Supreme Court. You don’t own the House. You don’t own the Senate. You don’t own the presidency. What do you mean? Everything’s on the table, moron.” — Mark Levin [63:39]
5. Antisemitism in the U.K. and U.S.
[76:35–83:25]
- Levin connects rising antisemitism in Britain and Europe with developments in America, attributing blame to both leftist and rightist rhetoric (again naming Carlson, Sanders, Van Hollen, etc.).
- Reads from a New York Post op-ed on violent attacks against Jews in the UK, drawing parallels to similar rhetoric and complacency in the US.
- Warns about the dangers of unchecked hatred and the drumbeat of extremist voices.
Quote:
"You cannot say the things that these people say and pretend you don’t know the consequences of it. Of course you do. It’s called repetition. It’s a drumbeat." — Mark Levin’s Co-Host [76:35]
6. Professor Randy Barnett Interview – Crime and Corruption in Chicago
[86:20–101:44]
- Law professor Randy Barnett joins to discuss his book Felony Review, recounting first-hand tales of crime and judicial corruption from his career in Cook County, IL:
- Opening with the chilling confession of a multiple homicide by teenage gang members.
- Explaining the systemic corruption in the Chicago legal system, including a judge known as "Dollars Divine."
- Explains changes in the judiciary post-Operation Greylord, the unique pressures on prosecutors and defense lawyers, and the nature of legal reform.
- Key legal insight: "An innocent person needs an attorney who can prove they're innocent, not just knock down the prosecutor’s case; usually that’s a former prosecutor." — Prof. Randy Barnett [97:16]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On Graham Platner's Support:
"He gave credit to Hamas in 2014, and the Democrat establishment refused to oppose him..." — Mark Levin [04:41]
-
On Media’s Complicity:
"Since when do we platform Nazis and Islamists and all the rest of it? Oh, free speech. They say they would shut down your free speech in two seconds." — Mark Levin [06:27]
-
Platner's Own Admission (CBS News):
“I’ve never laid the entire fault of my previous opinions... at the feet of only post traumatic stress. When I left the military... I came out of a hyper masculine, hyper violent place.” — Graham Platner [08:39]
-
Janet Mills Attack Ad
“Graham Platner said women could avoid rape if they don't get so up they end up having sex with someone they don't mean to. Mr. Platner, I was not up.” — Janet Mills (via campaign ad) [10:20]
-
On Jon Stewart’s Platforming of Platner:
“This guy John Leibowitz is really an a hole... There’s a very fine line between the Marxists and the fascists. Very fine line between the communists and the National Socialists. And you’re seeing it play out in the Democrat Party.” — Mark Levin [12:08]
-
On Progressive–Islamist Alliance:
“CAIR is a terrorist front organization, by the way. If they sue anybody, you countersue them and you do full discovery, full depositions...” — Mark Levin [51:52]
-
On Antisemitism and the Modern Left
“The most shocking thing has been the sniveling silence of so called progressives in the wake of those attempted mini crystal knocks.” — [New York Post op-ed, read by Mark Levin] [78:27]
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Opening discussion on Graham Platner and Democrat support: [02:14–10:52]
- Critique of media, platforming extremists, discussion of Hasan Piker and Tucker Carlson: [11:16–28:02]
- Discussion of Supreme Court/race-based districts, Democratic threats to the judiciary: [60:02–72:44]
- Reading and reflection on the New York Post op-ed about antisemitism in the UK: [76:35–83:25]
- Interview with Prof. Randy Barnett, Chicago crime and corruption: [86:20–101:44]
Tone & Language
Mark Levin is combative, passionate, and often sarcastic, with sharp critiques for both left and right-wing adversaries. The episode sustained a sense of warning about creeping extremism in U.S. and European politics, frequent appeals to history, and a staunch defense of traditional constitutional conservatism. Guest Randy Barnett's segment adopts a more measured, analytical, and storytelling approach.
Conclusion
This episode crystallizes Mark Levin’s ongoing theme: the Democratic Party is, in his view, increasingly tolerant of antisemitism and extremist views when politically convenient. He lambastes media and progressive figures for their complicity and urges conservatives to recognize and resist both leftist and rightist movements that embrace “anti-American, anti-Christian, anti-Jewish” rhetoric. The discussion with Prof. Barnett provides a sobering coda, reminding listeners of the stakes in defending institutional integrity—whether in politics or the legal system.
