Left Downplays Nazi Tattoo After Calling Hegseth’s Ink A Threat
The article discusses controversy surrounding tattoos on two political figures,contrasting media reactions to each. Pete Hegseth, a former military member and secretary of defense nominee, faced intense media criticism less than a year ago for his Jerusalem Cross tattoo, which some outlets wrongly labeled as a Nazi swastika or white supremacist symbol. In contrast, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, a Democrat and former Marine, has come under scrutiny for having a tattoo of the Nazi SS Totenkopf (“death head”) symbol-a recognized hate emblem-on his chest, which he claims he did not realize was a Nazi symbol when he got it in 2007. after the tattoo was exposed by media, Platner quickly covered it up and sought to downplay the issue, presenting himself as unaware of its meaning. His former political director and others express skepticism over his claim of ignorance, citing his military knowledge. The article criticizes the press for excusing Platner’s tattoo and questionable past statements on social media while harshly condemning Hegseth for his Christian tattoo.It questions Platner’s judgment and suitability for office, highlighting his inappropriate past behavior and the implications for voters.
The propaganda press was sick less than a year ago over a tattoo of the Jerusalem Cross on Pete Hegseth’s chest. They called his Christian markings “white supremacist and extremist,” as they tried to derail his confirmation for secretary of defense. Some mistakenly thought the cross was a Nazi swastika. It isn’t.
Now the press is making excuses for the actual Nazi symbol that was tattooed on Maine’s Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner’s chest. Platner would challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, if he can make it through the primary against Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Platner got a large skull and crossbones in the style of the Nazi’s SS Totenkopf (death head) on his chest in 2007 while he was a Marine in Croatia. It was worn by Nazi guards at concentration camps and is considered a hate symbol, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
MSNBC found Platner’s tattoo, and some heinous things he said on Reddit (like, cops are “bastards”; white rural Americans are “racist” and “stupid”; black people “don’t tip”) merely “a political stress test.” None of it disqualifies him for office in their eyes.
Platner shared a video of himself topless on Pod Save America, saying opposition research had found the video. He tried to get ahead of it on Monday by explaining the tattoo on a friendly podcast. Pod Save America Host Tommy Vietor is the former national security spokesman for President Barack Obama.
After the terrible tat was exposed this week, Platner claimed he did not know it was a Nazi symbol and rushed to have it covered up. Is it conceivable that in the 18 years he has had that tattoo, he never looked up the image? That no one ever mentioned it to him?
Genevieve McDonald, Graham Platner’s former political director, weighs in on the Nazi tattoo controversy:
“Graham has an anti-Semitic tattoo on his chest. He’s not an idiot, he’s a military history buff. Maybe he didn’t know it when he got it, but he got it years ago and he… pic.twitter.com/5AcXhExQ1M
— Maine State Press (@MaineStatePress) October 21, 2025
Platner’s former political director, Genevieve McDonald, believes he was aware of the meaning behind the tattoo. “He’s not an idiot, he’s a military history buff. Maybe he didn’t know it when he got it, but he got it years ago and he should have had it covered up because he knows damn well what it means,” she posted.
Recall the Associated Press reporting that Hegseth’s “Deus Vult” tattoo, which means “God wills it,” is tied to “white supremacists,” making him a dangerous person to lead the military.
In Platner’s case, AP was gentler, and quick to forgive.
“Graham Platner said Wednesday that a tattoo on his chest has been covered to no longer reflect an image widely recognized as a Nazi symbol,” the AP reported. Instead of saying it straight, (the Nazi image was covered) the AP’s wording leaves the door open to the possibility that it might not be a Nazi symbol. It was only widely recognized as such.
“Platner said he has covered up a tattoo after learning of its resemblance to a Nazi symbol,” The Hill said in a cleanup piece, downplaying it, indicating he just realized it was a Nazi symbol, and presenting Platner as a victim.
A guy who would get a tattoo without knowing its meaning sounds like the kind of senator who would not read bills before voting on them.
“Maine oyster farmer running for Senate tries to explain Marine tattoo that appears to be a Nazi SS ‘Totenkopf’ symbol.” Fortune reported. According to Fortune, Platner’s just a humble oyster farmer, and the tattoo only “appears to be” a Nazi symbol.
Local outlet WGME interviewed Platner right after his tattoo cover-up was done, and he posed for some topless photos showing off something like a wolf with a lizard tongue drowning in a sort of Celtic knot. Who knows what that means.
Platner’s behavior in the wedding party video is nearly as disgusting as the Totenkopf tattoo. He dances around in a bar in his skimpy “silkies” (“Marine running shorts,” according to Platner) at his brother’s wedding, lip-synching the song “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. His song and half-naked prancing were a wedding gift to his brother’s wife on their wedding day, he explained, offering voters a glimpse of what he considers normal behavior.
Both that behavior and the Nazi tattoo should make voters worry about how he would handle the keys to a congressional office and a budget for staff.
Beth Brelje is an elections correspondent for The Federalist. She is an award-winning investigative journalist with decades of media experience.
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