During Thursday’s episode of The View, co-host Joy Behar criticized Democratic candidate Graham Platner, labeling his tattoo as one reminiscent of Nazi imagery. Co-host Sarah Haynes weighed in, emphasizing that Platner’s remarks about police transcended mere casual conversation.
“Everyone has had their moments, but not everyone can easily erase a tattoo that hints at anti-Semitism or racism, especially if it was inked during a wild spring break,” Haynes remarked. She pointed out Platner’s pattern of problematic comments, particularly highlighting past Reddit posts that drew scrutiny.
In a previous Reddit discussion, Platner was reported to have labeled himself a “communist” and disparaged police. He controversially suggested that victims of sexual assault bear some responsibility, which has sparked further outrage among critics.
“With 1.5 million individuals in Maine, surely there must be alternatives,” Haynes suggested, implying that more suitable candidates exist for the role.
Joy Behar added an unexpected critique of the state, appearing to overlook that only Maine residents could contest for the Senate seat. She expressed, “Out of 340 million people in the country, you couldn’t find someone without a Nazi tattoo?”
Meanwhile, Whoopi Goldberg posed a pointed question: “Isn’t it clear that if you’re running for office, your past will come to light?” She recommended addressing these issues proactively to avoid sounding defensive later on.
Goldberg shared her own experiences of past mistakes, saying, “I’ve done foolish things when drinking, but I own that.” She noted the importance of accepting accountability.
The View co-host Sunny Hostin remarked that while some Democrats support Platner in challenging Sen. Susan Collins, his previous actions should be addressed adequately, going beyond a simple acknowledgment.
“If I reach a point where I need to deny being a Nazi on a podcast, I think I’ve crossed a line,” Hostin stated.
The controversy began earlier in the week, when Platner attempted to get ahead of the backlash by admitting to having a tattoo featuring Nazi-like symbols.
On the podcast Pod Save America, Platner recounted that, back in 2006, he got “really drunk” with Marines and chose to get the tattoo. He recalled visiting a tattoo shop in Split, Croatia, where they picked a skull and crossbones image, standard in military culture.
Platner argued that despite having the tattoo, he lived a “normal life,” mentioning activities like performing Miley Cyrus songs for his family and enjoying time at the beach. He expressed surprise that no one had previously accused him of being a Nazi and later recognized that his tattoo might raise questions due to an ongoing investigation.
