Graham Platner tattoo controversy: Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner is facing intense scrutiny after video and reporting showed a large skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest that multiple outlets say resembles the Totenkopf — a symbol historically associated with German military units and, during the 20th century, Nazi SS formations. Platner says he got the design while deployed and did not know the Nazi connotations; he has pledged to remove the tattoo. The story has overlapped with social-media digs about his past Reddit posts and possible private-contractor work. This deep-dive separates verified facts from online rumor, explains the Totenkopf history, and briefly ties in a few other trending items people are lumping into the conversation (two-moons headlines, gold prices, Tropical Storm Melissa, and a flight scare).
1) Graham Platner tattoo controversy: The one-line verified core
Video and reporting show Platner with a prominent skull-and-crossbones tattoo on his chest that public reporting identifies as visually consistent with a Totenkopf design; Platner has said he didn’t know the symbol’s Nazi associations and says he’ll remove it.
2) What is the Totenkopf (and why it matters)
“Totenkopf” is German for “death’s head” and describes a skull motif used historically in European heraldry and military insignia.
During the 19th and 20th centuries the skull image was adopted by several German units; it later became infamously linked to elements of the Nazi SS and concentration-camp formations, which is why the symbol is widely stigmatized today. Context matters: a skull tattoo of a generic pirate style is not the same as a Totenkopf adopted by extremist groups — but visual similarity alone sparks legitimate alarm.
3) How the controversy broke and what Platner says
Politico and other outlets ran the video and reporting that highlighted the tattoo and resurfaced other old posts.
Platner told interviewers the tattoo was inked in Croatia during a deployment when he and other Marines “picked a terrifying skull and crossbones,” and he said he was “very inebriated” and unaware of Nazi connotations. He has apologized for past offensive online posts and pledged to remove the tattoo.
4) What reporters have additionally uncovered (deleted posts / old comments)
Journalists and outlets have also pointed to older Reddit posts and social-media material from Platner’s past that contain sexist and racially insensitive comments; Platner has publicly addressed and expressed regret for those posts. The resurfacing of both the tattoo and old posts intensified scrutiny of his fitness as a Democratic nominee to challenge Senator Susan Collins.
5) Political fallout — why this is a big deal in a Senate race
A chest tattoo that resembles a symbol tied to Nazi units raises immediate questions about judgment and sensitivity — particularly for someone seeking federal office.
Campaign staff resignations, intense media coverage, and Republican opponents will all use the story to shape voter impressions. Platner’s pledge to remove the tattoo and public apologies are part of his effort to contain the damage, but in politics perception often matters as much as intent.
6) The Blackwater / Constellis thread — what’s verified
Multiple profiles and listings indicate Platner served as a military contractor for Constellis (the company that historically operated under the Blackwater/Xe/Academi names) during a 2018 stint in Afghanistan, which some commentators have flagged as politically salient.
The record of a short contract role is reported in interviews and backgrounders; social posts and commentary have amplified the significance. Constellis/Blackwater’s history as a private military firm makes any veteran-contractor tie politically resonant, but employment there is not itself evidence of extremist sympathies.
7) Reddit, X and the social reaction — how the story spread
Reddit threads, Twitter/X posts and community boards rapidly circulated the video and debated intent vs. impression. Some posts allege Platner knew earlier and tried to conceal it; other threads back him as a flawed veteran who made mistakes years ago. Social media amplifies both verified reporting and rumor, so be cautious about single-post claims that lack corroboration.
8) Legal / ethical note for journalists and readers
When symbols with extremist ties appear in politics, reporters try to corroborate origin (who inked it, when, in what context) and verify related allegations (deleted posts, staff resignations). Readers should look for primary documents, official campaign statements, or multiple reputable outlets before assuming the worst. At the same time, candidates should expect voters to evaluate both intent and impact.
9) The tattoo doesn’t exist in a vacuum — other trending items that got tangled into the chatter
Social feeds were noisy today: astronomers confirmed a small asteroid, 2025 PN7, is a quasi-moon—a tiny body that shares Earth’s orbit but is not a true second moon. Headlines calling Earth “two-moons” are attention-grabbers; the real story is a fascinating orbital curiosity, not a visible second full moon.
Markets and weather also made headlines: gold has surged above earlier record levels amid global uncertainty (analysts flagged $4,200+ per ounce in recent trading), and Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the Atlantic with official forecasts and tracking maps advising coastal watchers to follow local advisories. Both themes—economic anxiety and extreme weather—help explain why images and claims spread so fast online today.
10) Aviation note — a flight scare that added to the noise
Separately, an American Airlines flight turned back or made an emergency landing after pilots reported a suspected cockpit intrusion or an interphone malfunction; follow local and airline updates for confirmed flight numbers and outcomes. These aviation incidents often generate rapid local social chatter that mixes into national political conversations.
11) How to evaluate the visuals — what experts look for
Image and video analysts compare tattoo orientation, iconography details (jawline, crossbones placement, additional motifs) and historical references. A generic skull+crossbones design is common in military and maritime culture; the Totenkopf has specific historical styling that experts look for when assessing intent or association. Independent verification (close-up images, tattoo artist records, corroborating witnesses) is the sensible journalistic path.
12) Final takeaway — what matters going forward
Verified facts so far: (1) video shows Platner with a skull-and-crossbones tattoo; (2) multiple outlets identify the visual as resembling a Totenkopf; (3) Platner says he got it while deployed, was unaware of Nazi ties, apologized for past online posts, and has pledged removal; (4) the controversy is reshaping his campaign narrative. Voters, donors and party leaders will weigh both his explanations and the broader pattern of past posts and employment history as they decide whether to support his Senate bid.
Quick FAQ (short answers)
Q — Is the tattoo definitively a Nazi symbol?
A — Multiple outlets say the image resembles a Totenkopf; visual similarity has prompted legitimate concern. Definitive intent is a separate question and depends on origin/context.
Q — Did Platner work for Blackwater?
A — Reporting and background bios indicate he had a short State-Department contract with Constellis, the company historically associated with Blackwater. That work is documented in profiles but does not, by itself, prove extremist ties.
Q — What should readers watch next?
A — Look for Platner’s campaign statement on the tattoo removal, any documentary evidence from the tattoo parlor or fellow service members, and follow major outlets (Politico, AP, Reuters) for confirmed updates.
Verified sources & further reading
Below are the authoritative news and reference pages used to compile this article. Each link was live and accurate at time of writing.
- Politico — story on Platner pledging to remove tattoo that resembles Nazi symbol. (Politico)
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/21/graham-platner-tattoo-nazi-00617686 - The Guardian — coverage of Platner’s remarks and video. (The Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/21/maine-graham-platner-tattoo-democrat-senate - Associated Press — profile & reporting on Platner’s campaign and past posts. (AP News)
https://apnews.com/article/maine-senate-platner-nazi-tattoo-bernie-sanders-5a66dc17ae9f467d1db2855a5117861b - Bangor Daily News — reporting on staff comments and timeline. (Bangor Daily News)
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/21/politics/elections/graham-platner-tattoo-problematic/ - The Maine Monitor — video and reporting on the tattoo’s imagery. (The Maine Monitor)
https://themainemonitor.org/platner-tattoo-nazi-totenkopf/ - Totenkopf (background) — encyclopedia overview of the symbol’s history and associations. (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totenkopf - Reuters — gold prices topping levels amid global uncertainty (market context). (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/gold-tops-4200-first-time-us-china-trade-tensions-fed-cut-bets-2025-10-15/ - CBS News — Tropical Storm Melissa formation and forecast maps. (CBS News)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/melissa-maps-forecast-atlantic-ocean/ - AZCentral / Livescience / Wikipedia — coverage explaining asteroid 2025 PN7 and why some outlets call it a quasi-moon (not a second true moon). (AzCentral)
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/life/2025/10/21/is-earth-getting-two-moons-2025-pn7-nasa/86819742007/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_PN7 - ABC7 / KETV — reporting on an American Airlines flight false alarm/emergency landing (local coverage of the incident). (ABC7 New York)
Quick editorial note / safety reminder: Coverage of symbols linked to violent extremist movements requires care. This article explains context and reporting; it does not endorse or normalize extremist imagery. If you see hateful or violent symbols in public life, treat them as legitimate civic concerns and rely on reputable reporting and official statements for decisions.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes reporting and public statements current as of Oct 22, 2025. It aims to present verified facts and responsibly contextualize allegations and social-media claims. For campaign statements, video footage, or legal documents, consult the primary sources linked above.