It was already problematic — now his story changed…
Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is again facing scrutiny over a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol, after shifting his public explanation of its meaning during a recent interview.
Platner, who is running to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, was first embroiled in controversy last year when images surfaced of a chest tattoo resembling the “Totenkopf,” or “death’s head,” historically associated with Nazi SS units and later identified by the Anti-Defamation League as a hate symbol.
At the time, Platner apologized and said he had been unaware of the symbol’s association with Nazism, adding that he planned to have it removed. He later altered the tattoo to resemble an animal and reiterated that he intended to eliminate it entirely.
However, in a recent interview with the media outlet Zeteo, Platner offered a different characterization, describing the design as a simple “skull-and-crossbones” and calling it “an eminently reasonable thing.”
Platner did not mention that he got the tattoo in Croatia, which was aligned with Nazi Germany during World War II and implemented genocidal policies against Jews, Serbs, and Roma.
The renewed defense has drawn attention in part because of past statements that appear to contradict his earlier claims. According to prior reporting, Platner had previously acknowledged the tattoo’s resemblance to the Totenkopf and said he only learned of its Nazi association shortly before the controversy became public.
Additional allegations have surfaced from a former acquaintance who claimed Platner referred to the tattoo as a “Totenkopf” in a 2012 conversation. Archived online posts attributed to Platner have also been cited by critics as evidence he was familiar with the symbol’s historical meaning years before the issue became public.
Platner has said he got the tattoo in 2007 while on leave from the United States Marine Corps, describing it as the result of a night of drinking with fellow service members in Croatia.
The controversy has been compounded by other resurfaced comments. Past social media posts attributed to Platner included inflammatory remarks about various groups, which he later apologized for, saying they were made during a period when he was struggling with post-traumatic stress after his military service.
The issue has also spilled into political exchanges. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz publicly criticized Platner on social media, referencing the tattoo during a dispute over foreign policy.
Despite the controversy, Platner’s campaign has continued to gain traction. The former Marine and oyster farmer has reportedly raised millions of dollars and recruited thousands of volunteers while running on what he describes as a “progressive populist” platform. He faces Maine Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary, though polling indicates he holds a lead over the more established Democrat and appears on track for a general election matchup against Sen. Susan Collins.
Platner has also received backing from prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has described him as a strong candidate.
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John Kennedy here. The last fundraising deadline passed — and we came up short. Now the woke crowd is celebrating, saying “Kennedy’s finished.” Let’s prove them wrong. Chip in $25, $50, or whatever you can to close the gap and keep fighting.
Just another lying Democrat.