Maine Democrat Senate Candidate Faces Scrutiny Over Nazi-Linked Tattoo Amid Media and Party Silence

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, a Marine veteran endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, is under scrutiny for a tattoo resembling the Nazi "Totenkopf" symbol, which he claims he got during a drunken night in Croatia and was unaware of its Nazi association. Evidence from deleted social media comments and interviews suggests Platner was aware of the tattoo's Nazi origins and defended similar symbolism within military circles. Prominent Democrats, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth, who previously criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for his Christian crusader tattoos, have remained silent on Platner's Nazi-style tattoo controversy, despite Warren's prior public support for Platner's candidacy. While Platner has sought to distance himself from the tattoo by covering it up and emphasizing his anti-fascist and anti-racist record, critics question the plausibility of his claimed ignorance after nearly two decades. Media responses vary, with some downplaying the significance of the tattoo and others highlighting the inconsistency in reactions compared to Hegseth's tattoos. The controversy highlights the political and cultural tensions surrounding symbols with extremist associations and their impact on candidates' public perceptions.