House Democrat Questions Graham Platner's Awareness of Tattoo's Nazi Origins

Rep. Brad Schneider, a senior House Democrat, has publicly criticized Senate candidate Graham Platner regarding his claim of ignorance about the Nazi origins of his tattoo. Schneider stated, "There's no way he didn't know what the tattoo was," and urged Platner to acknowledge it and move on. Platner, who is running against Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, has faced scrutiny not only for the tattoo but also for sending sexually explicit messages to women while married and for a history of offensive social media posts. Schneider's comments follow reports from The New York Times, which indicated that several of Platner's ex-girlfriends believe he was aware of the tattoo's design. One ex-girlfriend, Lyndsey Fifield, claimed that Platner referred to the tattoo as "my Totenkopf" and joked about its Nazi connection. Platner has denied these claims and stated he was unaware of the tattoo's implications. He has since covered up the tattoo, which he got in 2007 while stationed in Croatia. Schneider expressed uncertainty about supporting Platner if he were a voter in Maine, stating, "I'm grateful I don't have to make that choice." Other Democrats, including Rep. Jake Auchincloss and Sen. John Fetterman, have also criticized Platner's statements regarding the tattoo.