Overview
- Platner’s campaign confirmed the chest tattoo was covered after he initially pledged removal, telling the Associated Press he opted for a cover-up due to limited removal options near his home in rural Maine.
- Platner denies harboring extremist beliefs, says he got the skull design in 2007 while drunk on leave in Split, Croatia, and maintains he did not realize the imagery resembled a Nazi symbol until reporters raised it this month.
- An Anti-Defamation League spokesperson said the ink appears to be a Nazi Totenkopf and called it troubling if true, while noting bearers should repudiate hateful meanings if they were unaware at the time.
- Questions about prior knowledge persist after an anonymous former acquaintance and his ex-political director said he knew the association years ago, a claim Platner and his campaign dispute.
- The flap follows his apology for resurfaced offensive Reddit posts, as Sen. Bernie Sanders keeps his endorsement, some Democratic rivals and Republicans call the revelations disqualifying, and a competitive primary now includes Gov. Janet Mills with backing from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.