Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner faced scrutiny after claims that he only recently learned his chest tattoo bore Nazi symbolism were contradicted by social media comments and acquaintances. Investigative findings from KFile revealed that Platner, a Marine Corps veteran, previously defended the use of Nazi imagery among military personnel.
In a 2019 Reddit thread, Platner acknowledged discussions about the “Totenkopf,” an emblem associated with the Nazi SS, noting that similar images had been adopted by some U.S. military members. In 2020, he argued that an “SS” lightning bolt tattoo represented “culture” within the Marine Corps’ scout-sniper unit and dismissed claims of it being linked to white supremacy.
Acquaintances asserted that Platner had previously recognized the tattoo’s Nazi connection. One friend said Platner described it as a Nazi-style design, contradicting his recent claims of ignorance. Following the backlash, Platner covered the tattoo and stated he wasn’t a “secret Nazi.” His campaign has denied the allegations regarding his prior knowledge and context, while the scrutiny intensified due to his past inflammatory online comments.
The article also noted Platner’s recent attempts to distance himself from the implications while highlighting ongoing discussions about the acceptance of Nazi-like symbols within military culture, referencing a history of criticism against the Marine Corps for such practices.
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