Maine Senate Candidate Denies Nazi Allegations Over SS Skull Tattoo Controversy

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has come under scrutiny after a video surfaced showing a large tattoo on his chest resembling the Nazi Totenkopf, or "death's head," symbol associated with Hitler's SS and concentration camp guards. Platner, a former Marine, explained that he got the tattoo in 2007 while on shore leave in Croatia, choosing the design while heavily intoxicated, unaware of its Nazi connotations. He strongly denies any neo-Nazi or antisemitic beliefs, pointing to his past Reddit comments opposing Nazism, antisemitism, and racism as evidence, and plans to have the tattoo removed. The controversy follows earlier backlash over his self-described communist comments on Reddit, complicating his Senate campaign, where he seeks to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner disclosed the tattoo proactively during a Pod Save America interview, emphasizing he is "not a secret Nazi" and criticizing those who have used opposition research to label him as such. The tattoo has drawn concern from groups like the Anti-Defamation League, highlighting the sensitive nature of such symbols in political campaigns.