Whoopi Goldberg Comments on Maine Senate Candidate’s Controversial Tattoo
On a recent episode of “The View,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, who has a tattoo associated with Nazi symbolism on his chest. Goldberg suggested that perhaps Platner, who claims he got the tattoo while intoxicated 18 years ago and was unaware of its meanings, might have simply been a bit too drunk and made an unfortunate choice.
Platner himself stated that he was appalled to learn the skull and crossbones tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol and has since covered it up with a Celtic knot and an image of a dog. Goldberg reflected on this, saying something along the lines of, “I mean, we all say weird things when we drink, right?” However, Joy Behar countered, asserting that she had never uttered anything racist while under the influence. Goldberg then shared her own experiences, admitting, “Sure, I have done dumb things while I’ve been drinking.” She emphasized personal responsibility for those actions.
Other co-hosts expressed their belief that Platner’s drunkenness shouldn’t excuse the tattoo. Meanwhile, independent Senator Bernie Sanders showed his support for Platner, suggesting that there are more pressing matters to focus on than body art.
Deborah Lipstadt, a professor specializing in modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies, highlighted the gravity of the tattoo. She noted that the symbol on Platner’s chest is widely recognized as one of the most infamous Nazi emblems besides the swastika. It was worn by Nazi concentration camp guards, showcasing a chilling connection to the Third Reich.
Platner has also faced criticism for questionable posts on Reddit that advocated for violent actions as a method of societal change. Some of his comments seemed to downplay sexual assault in the military and included derogatory comments about various groups. Following the exposure of these posts, Genevieve McDonald, Platner’s former political director, resigned from the campaign.
Addressing the situation during an appearance on “Pod Save America,” Platner expressed his horror over some of his past words, explaining that they were written while dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder linked to his military service.
