Ellie Kemp
A wannabe US senator has fiercely hit back at claims his chest tattoo is a Nazi symbol.
Graham Platner, a former Army and Marine veteran, has had a pretty disastrous week amid his campaign for US senate in Maine.
The political newcomer is looking to unseat Susan Collins, the longest-serving Republican woman senator, in 2026.
Last week, he was forced to apologize after problematic Reddit posts resurfaced online.
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Now, a new week has brought yet another round of drama for Platner; this time, speculation over one of his tattoos.
The former oyster farmer has a skull-and-bones tattoo which seemingly resembles a Nazi symbol called Totenkopf.
Translating to 'death's head', the emblem is associated with Nazi Germany military units, including the SS-Totenkopfverbände, responsible for running concentration camps.
It was also linked to the 3rd SS Panzer Division, an 'elite' Waffen-SS combat division.
Platner's campaign tried to get ahead of any criticism by having him address the tattoo head-on during Monday's (October 20) Pod Save America podcast.
His team made public a video from Platner's brother's wedding where the ink is in full view.
In it, Platner is dancing and miming topless to 2013 Miley Cyrus hit, 'Wrecking Ball'.
His skull-and-bones tattoo is clearly visible on the middle-right side of his chest.
In a statement to POLITICO on Tuesday (October 21), Platner confirmed he was getting the ink removed, while refuting claims that it was linked to Nazism.
"It was not until I started hearing from reporters and DC insiders that I realized this tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol," he told the publication.
"I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that - and to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed."
Platner, who served four tours across Iraq and Afghanistan, added that he got the tattoo almost 20 years ago while drinking with Marines in Croatia.
"I enlisted in the Army which involved a full physical that examines tattoos for hate symbols. I also passed a full background check to receive a security clearance to join the Ambassador to Afghanistan’s security detail," he added.
It comes as Platner was forced to address controversial social media posts dating from 2013 through to 2021.
Using his Reddit account, he’d posted offensive comments and referred to himself as a 'communist', among other controversial remarks.
This is something he also discussed on Pod Save America.
"That was me trying to get a rise out of people on the Internet," he said. "Those weren’t even reflective of my opinions back then."