Platner Tattoo Controversy Prompts Campaign Resignation

A video showed a skull-and-crossbones chest tattoo resembling the Nazi Totenkopf on Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, who has since covered it with a Celtic-knot-and-dog design. Platner says he got the tattoo in 2007 while drinking in Croatia during his time as a Marine, says he was unaware of its Nazi associations until recently, and denies any affinity for Nazism. He said he opted for a cover-up rather than removal because of limited options in rural Maine. The revelation followed resurfaced Reddit posts containing controversial remarks, which prompted the resignation of his campaign's political director and renewed calls for him to quit the Democratic primary to challenge Sen. Susan Collins. Platner apologized, attributed some past online statements to post-service PTSD and depression, and has drawn public defense from figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders. Critics — including his former political director — called the tattoo antisemitic, while his campaign points to prior military reviews and a security clearance that did not flag hate-symbol tattoos.