Published October 26, 2025
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, is embroiled in controversy following revelations about his past. In October 2025, Platner admitted to having a tattoo resembling the Nazi “Totenkopf” symbol, which he claims to have gotten in 2007 while intoxicated during military leave in Croatia. He stated that he was unaware of the tattoo’s associations at the time and has since covered it with a Celtic knot design.
The situation escalated when past social media posts surfaced, including derogatory remarks about police, rural white Americans, and sexual assault survivors. Platner attributed these posts to post-military disillusionment and PTSD, offering apologies for the offensive content. His former campaign director resigned, alleging that Platner had long known about the tattoo’s meaning and had failed to address it earlier.
In response to the backlash, Platner’s campaign has taken several steps to manage the crisis. He brought in a longtime friend to serve as the new campaign manager, hired a compliance firm, and began sending non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to staffers. However, the offer of a $15,000 severance package in exchange for signing the NDA was declined by his former political director, who criticized the campaign’s handling of the situation .
Despite the controversy, Platner has retained the endorsement of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and continues to campaign against Maine Governor Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming election.
The same Democrats who lied about Pete Hegseth having a Nazi tattoo are now trying to cover up Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner having a real Nazi tattoo. All the Democrats do…
Video shows an inebriated Platner, stripped down to his underwear, celebrating his brother’s wedding by singing and dancing to Miley Cyrus ‘Wrecking Ball’ On the left side of his chest, is a ‘Totenkopf’ tattoo, a symbol of the SS during Nazi Germany
Platner, 41, is a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars — it was during one of those tours that he picked up the regrettable Nazi tattoo when they came into port in Croatia
Graham Platner, a democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, points to a cover-up tattoo that had previously been an image recognized as a Nazi symbol, during an interview on Wednesday
A close-up of Platner’s tattoo cover up, showing a canine in what appears to be a Celtic symbol
In a video posted on X, Platner showed off the new tattoo. ‘It’s a Celtic knot with some imagery around dogs, because my wife Amy (pictured) and I, love dogs,’ he said
Implications from the Graham Platner scandal:
1. Questioning Progressive Credibility
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Right-leaning outlets emphasize that Platner’s history—including a Nazi-like tattoo and alleged ties to extremist groups—exposes a double standard in progressive politics.
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They highlight the irony of progressive candidates criticizing symbols of Christianity or traditional values while having past affiliations or behaviors that suggest extremism or radicalism.
2. Attack on “Woke” Culture and Hypocrisy
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The coverage portrays Platner’s apologies and NDAs as typical political damage control used by left-leaning politicians rather than genuine accountability.
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Right-leaning narratives often frame this as proof that progressive campaigns prioritize optics over morals, and that progressive elites protect their own.
3. Election Strategy Messaging
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By highlighting this scandal, right-leaning outlets suggest it weakens Democrats’ Senate candidates, especially in swing or moderate states like Maine.
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The implication is that Republicans can capitalize on this “extremist” or “radical-left” image to appeal to centrists and independent voters.
4. Weaponizing Social Media History
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Right-leaning coverage points to past offensive posts about police, rural Americans, and sexual assault survivors as evidence that progressives harbor elitist or anti-American sentiments.
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This is framed as part of a broader narrative of progressives being out-of-touch or morally inconsistent, reinforcing GOP messaging that Democrats are dangerous or untrustworthy.
5. Cultural and Moral Framing
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The tattoo scandal is tied to questions about morality, patriotism, and cultural identity.
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Right-leaning media often juxtapose this against Republicans defending traditional Christian symbols or values, implying that Democrats lack moral grounding.
Overall Takeaway:
Graham Platner’s tattoo scandal and related controversies highlight the inconsistencies and cultural disconnects within progressive politics, reinforcing the notion that the left often prioritizes appearances over accountability. For conservatives and Republicans, the episode serves as both a cautionary tale and an electoral talking point: Democrats’ internal contradictions and past lapses offer fertile ground for emphasizing Republican values, integrity, and connection with everyday Americans.
SOURCES:
TOWNHALL – How Graham Platner’s Campaign Is Trying to Do Damage Control After Nazi Tattoo Fiasco
FOX NEWS – Dems silent on progressive candidate’s Nazi-style tattoo after knocking Hegseth for Christian symbol
DAILYMAIL ONLINE – Dem Senate candidate reveals covered up Nazi tattoo after ‘drunken mistake’ sparked scandal
THE NEW YORK POST – Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner admits he got Nazi-linked tattoo while ‘very inebriated’
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