Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner said he has covered his tattoo linked to the Nazi Schutzstaffel, or SS. Graham said he got the body art nearly two decades ago and was unaware at the time of any association the symbol had with Nazis or other white supremacist groups.
Platner’s response
During an appearance on “Pod Save America” Monday, Platner addressed footage of him dancing shirtless, revealing the tattoo resembling a Nazi skull and crossbones on his chest. Platner’s campaign released the video to the podcast before it was leaked to other outlets.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
The Senate hopeful said he had no prior knowledge of any connection the symbol had to Nazism when he got it.
“It was not until I started hearing from reporters and DC insiders that I realized this tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol,” Platner told Politico Tuesday. “I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that — and to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed.”
When did he get the tattoo?
Platner said he got the tattoo during a drunken night with fellow Marines while serving in Croatia. He noted that he chose the skull and crossbones off a wall at a tattoo shop. He also said the tattoo’s connection to Nazis and other hate groups was never mentioned during required physical exams by the U.S. military, which bans tattoos associated with extremist groups.
Former staffer expresses skepticism over Platner’s claims
A former campaign staffer expressed doubts that Platner was unaware of the tattoo’s meaning before it became an issue for him politically.
Platner’s former political director, Genevieve McDonald, had harsh words for her former candidate in an expletive-laden post.
“Graham has an anti-Semitic tattoo on his chest. He’s not an idiot, he’s a military buff,” she wrote. “Maybe he didn’t know 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.”
Past controversy
McDonald quit the campaign last week after controversial Reddit posts by Planter were reported by CNN. In the now-deleted posts, he called police officers “bastards” and accused some rural white Americans of holding “racist” views. Platner also described himself as a “communist” and suggested violence may be necessary to bring about social change.
Platner has since apologized for the social media comments he made years ago.
Unbiased. Straight Facts.TM
During WWII, one specific skull and crossbones image became a symbol of the SS-Totenkopfverbände, which was in charge of guarding concentration camps.
‘My Totenkopf’
According to Jewish Insider, an acquaintance of Platner claimed the candidate called the tattoo his “Totenkopf,” a German term often used to describe the symbol of a skull and crossbones. Historically, the imagery was used by Nazi law enforcement, and white supremacists have continued using it since, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
Platner’s team did not disclose whether he had used such a word to describe his tattoo.
Platner is one of several Democrats hoping to face off against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, including Gov. Janet Mills, who announced she would enter the race this month.
