Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Addresses Nazi-Linked Tattoo Controversy

Marine Corps Tattoo Incident

• ⚓ Graham Platner, a Marine veteran running for Senate in Maine, explains a tattoo he received in Croatia in 2007.
• ⚓ He states that he and fellow Marines, after heavy carousing, chose a "terrifying skull and crossbones" flash from a tattoo parlor wall, believing it represented their service as machine gunners in Fallujah and Ramadi.
• ⚓ Platner has had the tattoo for 18 years, including during re-enlistment in the Army and contracting for the State Department, where his tattoos were screened.

Addressing Symbolism and Intent

• ⚠️ Platner states it has come to his attention that the tattoo bears a resemblance to a symbol used by neo-Nazis, which he finds horrifying and was not his intent.
• ⚠️ He acknowledges the damaging nature of such symbols and expresses deep concern that his tattoo could have been misinterpreted.
• ⚠️ Platner asserts a life dedicated to anti-fascism, anti-racism, and anti-Nazism, condemning racism and anti-semitism.

Tattoo Cover-Up and Political Context

• 🎨 To address the issue, Platner recently had the tattoo covered with a new one featuring a Celtic knot and imagery of dogs, representing his wife and their pets.
• 🎯 He believes the new tattoo more accurately reflects who he is now than the original skull and crossbones did.
• 🎯 Platner suggests this controversy is being amplified by the establishment as a distraction from key policy issues.

Focus on Policy and Campaign

• 🗣️ He argues that discussing his tattoo takes time away from important topics like Medicare for All, raising taxes on the wealthy, and addressing the struggles of mayors.
• 🗣️ Platner plans to continue his campaign by holding town halls across Maine to listen to constituents and discuss necessary political changes.
• 🗣️ He expresses gratitude for the support he has received, which he interprets as a sign that the political system is threatened by his campaign.