Bill Maher, the liberal HBO talk show host, is encouraging voters in Maine to support Graham Platner, despite the candidate’s troubling past, which includes a Nazi tattoo.
Maher, known for holding more centrist views lately, has faced scrutiny for his past remarks on sensitive topics and allegedly inappropriate behavior. Now, he’s backing a Democratic candidate in Maine who’s surrounded by controversy.
During the closing segment of his show on Friday, Maher urged Maine voters to choose Platner in order to “restore balance” in the Senate.
“I want to stress to the people of Maine to vote for him for a couple of reasons,” Maher said. “First, we need some balance in government, and a Democratic Senate could significantly contribute to that. And second, this is just the reality of America—it’s a nation of somewhat broken, poorly educated, phone-obsessed, possibly crazy individuals.”
Maher’s call for “balance” is puzzling since Platner’s Republican opponent is Susan Collins, who has often diverged from party lines. Collins has demonstrated a willingness to stray from her party; her lifetime conservative rating from the Heritage Foundation is only 24 percent, which is low. So, if Maher’s goal is to find someone at odds with Republican policies, one has to wonder why he’s not criticizing Collins, who isn’t a typical partisan Republican.
Still, Maher stands by his support for Platner, even in light of the candidate’s many scandals.
He remarked that Platner has a “dramatic backstory,” stating, “Don’t ask me for details, as I’m still figuring out who he is. What I know is he served in the Marines during the war, which is commendable. However, there are posts about inappropriate behavior in relationships and claims from his ex-lovers that he holds extreme views.” He cited comments that Platner made implying racial stereotypes.
Maher then referenced the tattoo directly, saying, “And yes, he has a Nazi tattoo. Honestly, this guy’s life feels like a plot from a comedy film. Do we really want this person in the Senate? He should probably take a break in Costa Rica instead. But still, I urge Mainers to support him—for balance in government and because that’s the sort of country we are now.”
He also questioned whether Platner was truly unaware of the tattoo’s symbolism when he got it, noting that, “Today, there’s so much misinformation around; I’m not sure he knew what it meant.” He added that there’s a new type of voter—those who are politically engaged but may not fully grasp the intricacies of politics.
Interestingly, Platner had previously acknowledged the Nazi connotation of his tattoo, contradicting his recent claims of ignorance about its meaning. Reports suggest he told a partner that the tattoo served as a reminder of America’s flaws.
Regarding his relationships, three ex-girlfriends have claimed that Platner displayed erratic and inappropriate behavior while they were together, alleging heavy drinking and other troubling actions. One ex-girlfriend described his behavior as “reckless,” saying it made her feel insecure.
Additionally, allegations have surfaced that Platner attempted to pay off individuals to conceal details about his controversial past, alongside multiple accusations of infidelity while married.
Though Maher has expressed concerns about the Democratic Party shifting to the left, he has a history of backing Democratic candidates and has donated heavily to their Senate campaigns.
