Taya Kyle, widow of Navy SEAL and “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, harshly criticized Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, calling his remarks “cowardly” and a “cheap political trick.”

Platner, who is challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins, claimed on a 2024 podcast that Kyle inflated his kill count by being “less discriminating” with his fire and targeting civilians.

Kyle responded that disparaging a deceased national hero for attention shows “a total inability to lead with character,” saying it immediately disqualifies Platner from office.

Platner, a Marine veteran, has also faced backlash for resurfaced Reddit posts, including one mocking a wounded U.S. soldier. Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill condemned the comments as “vile hatred.”