Democratic Leaders Criticize Senate Candidate Over Nazi Tattoo Claims

House Democratic leaders are increasingly vocal about their doubts regarding Senate candidate Graham Platner’s assertion that he was unaware his tattoos had Nazi connotations.

“There’s no way he didn’t know what that tattoo was,” remarked Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., on Friday. “Make it yours and move on,” he advised. Yet, Schneider expressed disappointment that Platner seems unwilling to take that advice.

Schneider, as the head of a significant faction within the House Democratic Party, faces his own challenges, notably scrutiny relating to inappropriate messages he sent in the past and several allegations concerning past relationships.

Demand for Accountability

Platner, a far-left populist, is in a competitive race to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins from Maine and is the expected candidate for the Maine Democratic Party. However, skepticism about his candidacy is on the rise due to ongoing controversies.

After more public criticism of Platner, some of his former girlfriends have claimed that he was indeed aware of the Nazi symbolism associated with his tattoos. One former girlfriend, Lindsey Fifield, mentioned that Platner referred to the design as “my Totenkopf,” and joked about it being a Nazi tattoo.

In a recent interview with Chris Hayes, Platner denied these allegations but seemed caught off guard when challenged about the text messages Fifield had shared with others about his tattoo before he ever admitted to it publicly. He responded vaguely, saying, “I can’t say why,” while insisting he wasn’t privy to those texts.

Fifield has also accused Platner of assault during their relationship, a claim he denies.

Party Divisions and Criticisms

As controversies swirl around his candidacy, Schneider suggested it would be a tough choice for him if he were a voter in Maine. “I’m grateful I don’t have to make that choice. I don’t think I should have to make that choice,” he said.

Representatives from within the party, including Rep. Jake Auchincloss and Senator John Fetterman, have also criticized Platner’s responses regarding the tattoo issue, questioning his judgment and intentions.

Fetterman, discussing the implications of having a tattoo that is so overtly associated with Nazi ideology, stated, “When I was a kid, if someone had an obviously Nazi tattoo, you could probably conclude that they were a Nazi sympathizer. Are you going to continue to defend it or dismiss it?”

With his tattoos becoming a focal point of scrutiny, Platner has concealed them during his campaign. He noted he received the tattoo nearly two decades ago during a night out with Marines while stationed in Croatia.

The divisions within the Democratic Party appear to be deepening as Schneider and others weigh their support for Platner amidst controversies that are increasingly making headlines.