Self-inflicted controversies have plagued Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, revealing a series of missteps that have sparked significant backlash. Initially, excitement for his campaign was buoyed by endorsements from prominent figures, including far-left stalwart Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, troubling details from Platner’s past soon emerged.
The most shocking revelation is the tattoo adorning his chest, which resembles the SS Totenkopf, a symbol associated with Nazi “Death’s Head” units. A recently surfaced video highlights this tattoo, further complicating Platner’s image. He reportedly got the tattoo during a drunken night while serving as a young Marine on shore leave. This bizarre justification does little to quell the outrage among voters or pundits alike.
Platner’s troubling history continues with inflammatory remarks he made on social media. In 2020, he directed harsh criticism at a local law enforcement agency, calling members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office “overweight pansies” and labeling them as “opportunistic cowards.” Such statements have raised eyebrows and fueled the fire for his opponents. Political analyst Jonathan Martin pointed out that these comments provide “ready-made targeted mail and digital ads” for his challenger.
More damaging are the comments Platner posted on Reddit between 2020 and 2021, which mysteriously vanished prior to his candidacy announcement. In these deleted posts, he embraced the label of “communist” and disparaged police officers with profane language, asserting, “all of them, in fact” are “bastards.” Phrases like this give insight into his perspective but leave him open to criticism as a radical figure unfit for office.
Older posts from 2018 also came to light, where Platner pondered why one would tackle fascism without a “good semi-automatic rifle.” This troubling rhetoric reinforces perceptions of his extremism. His flippant response to these resurfaced posts, claiming curiosity behind his sexist query regarding tipping practices, seems to indicate a lack of awareness regarding the broader implications of his words.
While Platner tries to distance himself from these incidents, he has faced ongoing scrutiny concerning the tattoo. He claims the design has no connection to Nazi ideology and stated he opted for covering it rather than pursuing removal—an explanation many find less than convincing. He remarked to the Associated Press, “Going to a tattoo removal place is going to take a while. I wanted this thing off my body.”
Regardless of his attempts at damage control, the negative impact of these revelations is undeniable. Political rival Jordan Wood has suggested that Platner should withdraw from the race, emphasizing the necessity for Democrats to uphold moral clarity in opposition to perceived transgressions of former President Trump. Wood asserted that Platner’s controversies undermine that moral stance.
Graham Platner’s campaign faces uphill battles as self-inflicted wounds continue to surface. His past social media posts and the scandal surrounding his tattoo have drawn significant attention, jeopardizing his credibility as a serious candidate. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how these controversies will shape the trajectory of his campaign and the Democratic primary in Maine.
"*" indicates required fields
