Democratic Maine Senate candidate admits he got Nazi-linked tattoo while ‘very inebriated’
Graham Platner disclosed the controversial skull tattoo on his chest by sharing an embarrassing video showing him singing in only briefs at a wedding celebration for his brother. Pod Save America
Graham Platner, a Marine veteran running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine, said he was “very inebriated” when he got a tattoo linked to Nazism nearly 20 years ago while on leave in Croatia and emphasized he is “not a secret Nazi.”
The 41-year-old Democratic candidate, who is also an oyster farmer, disclosed the tattoo on the right side of his chest and shared an old video showing him singing in only his briefs at his brother’s wedding.
Platner said he and fellow Marines were on leave in Croatia in 2007 when they decided to get tattoos. The design, which resembles the “Totenkopf” skull used by Hitler’s Schutzstaffel (SS), was chosen from a tattoo shop wall.
“We got very inebriated, and we did what Marines on liberty do, and we decided to go get a tattoo,” Platner told the podcast Pod Save America. “We chose a terrifying-looking skull and crossbones because we were Marines… I am not a secret Nazi.” He said he was unaware of the tattoo’s potential Nazi connections at the time.
Platner noted the tattoo never caused issues during his military service, including his time in the Army National Guard, which prohibits extremist, racist, or sexist ink. He said he only realized the symbol’s implications after opponents highlighted it in opposition research and is planning to have it removed.
“Had I known, I absolutely would not have gone through life with this on my chest,” Platner told Politico.
However, his former campaign director, Genevieve McDonald, expressed skepticism, saying, “Maybe he didn’t know it when he got it, but he got it years ago, and he should have had it covered up because he knows damn well what it means.” She resigned after old Reddit posts by Platner surfaced, including controversial comments about police, rural Americans, and himself, as well as remarks on race and sexual assault that he now says he regrets.
Platner said the posts were made during a period of disillusionment following his military discharge and struggles with PTSD. “For those of you who have read these things and been offended… I am deeply sorry,” he wrote on social media.
Platner is seeking the Democratic nomination for Maine’s Senate seat, challenging Governor Janet Mills for the primary. Democrats aim to flip the seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins. Despite the controversy, Senator Bernie Sanders reportedly continues to support Platner, calling him an “excellent” political newcomer.
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