Controversy Surrounds Senate Candidate Graham Platner
PORTLAND, Maine — At a local rally on Sunday, a female supporter of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner addressed concerns over his past Nazi-related tattoos. She mentioned that while she could overlook his old ink, an Israeli flag tattoo would be a deal-breaker for her.
When asked by a reporter from the New York Sun if Platner’s tattoos, specifically any related to Israel, presented an issue for her as a supporter, she replied, “Yes, because I don’t want genocide,” commenting on the Israeli actions against Palestinians in Gaza.
She added, “Neither does he,” referring to Platner, and implied that having an Israeli tattoo would show inconsistency in his stance, although she believed he had been very consistent on this issue.
The supporter seemed unfazed by the controversy surrounding Platner’s previous skull-and-bones tattoo, which resembled the Totenkopf symbol used by the Nazi SS. This tattoo resurfaced in discussions last year, and Platner has since altered it. He claimed to have gotten himself inked while drunk in Croatia in 2007, unaware of its Nazi associations.
Last week, a former girlfriend told the New York Times that Platner had once boasted about having a Nazi tattoo.
However, supporters at the rally downplayed the entire situation. One woman remarked on the misinformation circulating, saying, “Someone said they saw one of them or spoke to someone who wore one of them, and it was silver, but they had no idea it was the same one.”
“I think people are doing the best they can because there’s not a lot of substance to other things. If that’s the case, we’ll hear about it,” she continued, implying that much of the scrutiny felt like gossip.
“Trust me, they’re trolling for filth,” she insisted.
Platner is not just facing tattoo-related controversies; he’s also under scrutiny for allegations about his past treatment of women and claims of inappropriate behavior, including extramarital sexting and troubling fantasies.
Just last week, the New York Times released an article detailing various accusations from women he dated. One such account came from Republican operative Lindsey Fifield, who described an incident where Platner allegedly dragged her out of a taxi and another where he twisted her arm before locking her in a room.
While Platner denies these allegations, a supporter commented, “I think a lot of it is fabricated, but there are elements of truth in it. He’s a flawed candidate.” She added that his perceived honesty made him the type of candidate they wanted.
“That salvation is worth more to us than a lot of people who say things dishonestly,” she concluded, reflecting a sentiment that resonates with many at the rally.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Platner seems ready to challenge incumbent Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) for the Democratic nomination this fall.
