Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner despite controversy over a chest tattoo resembling a Nazi-linked symbol. Warren praised Platner in a social media video Wednesday, calling him “the real deal” and commending his determination to bring change to Maine.
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Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer, faced widespread criticism for a skull and crossbones tattoo linked to Nazi imagery. He has since removed the tattoo and apologized, saying he was unaware of its association. When questioned about the tattoo and other controversies, Warren dismissed the concerns, noting Platner’s public apologies and ongoing campaign efforts.
Warren’s relaxed stance on Platner contrasts sharply with her scrutiny of former Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Christian tattoos ahead of his 2025 confirmation hearing. Warren had expressed concern that Hegseth’s tattoos—specifically the Jerusalem Cross and the Latin phrase “Deus Vult”—could mark him as a potential “insider threat” within the National Guard. Hegseth was removed from inauguration security duty due to these tattoos, despite multiple overseas deployments and two Bronze Stars. Warren questioned Hegseth’s loyalty publicly in a detailed letter at the time.
Platner and Governor Janet Mills are competing in the Maine Democratic Senate primary to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. Mills’s campaign has launched a six-figure attack ad emphasizing Platner’s tattoo and resurfaced controversial Reddit comments he made about rape more than a decade ago. Platner apologized publicly for those comments after they surfaced last fall.
The Mills campaign’s ad ends with footage of a shirtless Platner as the narrator says, “The closer you look, the worse it gets.” Four women featured in the ad condemned Platner’s past remarks as “disgusting” and “disqualifying.”
Warren’s endorsement of Platner despite his tattoo controversy highlights a notable shift from her approach with Hegseth, underscoring differing responses within Democratic ranks to symbols and past statements linked to candidates.
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