A Bernie Sanders-endorsed Democratic Senate candidate initially apologized for sporting a Nazi SS tattoo, only to later backtrack and defend the symbol—raising serious questions about judgment and the left’s selective outrage over extremist imagery.
Story Snapshot
- Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner apologized for chest tattoo resembling Nazi SS Totenkopf symbol, then reversed course defending it
- Tattoo obtained drunk in Croatia 20 years ago while serving as Marine; passed multiple Army security clearances including Afghanistan detail
- Controversy follows resignation of campaign director over Platner’s racist Reddit posts and anti-sexual assault survivor comments
- Left-leaning experts downplay Democrat’s Nazi imagery while amplifying alleged right-wing extremism—exposing blatant double standards
Disturbing Tattoo Sparks Bipartisan Alarm
Graham Platner’s campaign released a shirtless lip-sync video for the liberal podcast Pod Save America in October 2025, inadvertently exposing a chest tattoo matching the Totenkopf—the death’s head skull and crossbones worn by Nazi SS concentration camp guards. The Anti-Defamation League confirmed the symbol’s troubling resemblance to Nazi imagery used by the Totenkopfverbände units responsible for Holocaust atrocities. Republicans immediately seized on the revelation, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee labeling it a “Nazi tattoo” in opposition materials. Platner initially apologized and pledged removal, but later backtracked, calling his tattoo “eminently reasonable” and defending his decision to keep it for two decades.
Pattern of Offensive Behavior Emerges
The tattoo controversy erupted amid existing scrutiny over Platner’s online history. His campaign political director, former Democratic state lawmaker Genevieve McDonald, resigned after offensive Reddit posts surfaced containing racist remarks like “Why don’t black people tip?” and comments blaming sexual assault survivors. Platner issued a video apology attributing the posts to struggles following military service, yet McDonald publicly criticized him for failing to cover the Nazi-associated tattoo sooner. The combination of racist online activity and extremist imagery raises legitimate concerns about Platner’s fitness for office.
Military Clearances Failed to Flag Symbol
Platner obtained the tattoo around 2005-2006 while deployed with the Marines in Croatia, claiming he drunkenly selected a “terrifying looking skull and crossbones” from a parlor wall without understanding its Nazi connotations. He defends himself by noting the tattoo passed Army National Guard physical examinations and security clearance reviews for an Afghanistan ambassador protection detail. However, the U.S. military updated tattoo protocols in 2021 with FBI guidance specifically to flag extremist symbols like the Totenkopf, prohibiting “extremist, racist, sexist, or otherwise indecent” ink. The fact that previous clearances missed this symbol highlights concerning gaps in military vetting procedures, especially given the Pentagon’s documented concerns about white supremacist infiltration of armed forces.
Left’s Selective Outrage on Display
Rutgers professor Alexander Hinton, who directs the Center for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, acknowledged Platner’s tattoo constitutes “clear Nazi imagery” but pivoted to attacking conservatives, claiming right-wing extremism poses greater threats. Hinton praised Platner’s apology while citing unrelated incidents involving neo-Nazi codes in Young Republicans chats and alleged MAGA gas chamber jokes. This reveals the left’s typical playbook: minimize Democratic misconduct while amplifying unsubstantiated conservative allegations. The Anti-Defamation League similarly hedged, calling the symbol “troubling” but suggesting possible ignorance, a courtesy rarely extended to Republicans facing similar accusations. Conservatives understand this double standard—when leftists display extremist symbols, experts manufacture excuses; when conservatives are accused, guilt is presumed without evidence.
Bernie Sanders-backed Senate hopeful backtracks on apology for 'Nazi skull' tattoo insisting it's an 'eminently reasonable skull-and-crossbones' https://t.co/wzZkBLTWYl
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) March 15, 2026
Sanders Endorsement Compounds Democrats’ Problem
Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Platner despite the candidate facing long-shot odds in Maine’s Democratic Senate primary against stronger competitors. The socialist senator’s backing now becomes a liability as Platner’s controversies multiply, forcing Democrats to either defend Nazi imagery or abandon a Sanders-backed candidate. Platner remains in the race with no indication of withdrawal, though experts suggest another Democrat leads for the nomination. His defiant reversal from apology to justification—insisting the tattoo is “eminently reasonable”—demonstrates the arrogance typical of leftist politicians who believe rules apply only to conservatives. This scandal perfectly illustrates why Americans are exhausted with Democratic hypocrisy on extremism while they lecture patriots about alleged threats to democracy.
Sources:
Graham Platner, Maine Senate candidate, responds to Nazi tattoo – Axios
Platner says he’ll remove tattoo that resembles Nazi symbol – Politico
