Maine Democrat Graham Platner draws fire over Nazi tattoo and veteran mockery

Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, is facing intense criticism after a Time magazine cover highlighted his candidacy despite a tattoo resembling the Nazi Totenkopf. Social‑media users and political observers have also resurfaced a Reddit post in which Platner wrote that Purple Heart recipient Pfc. Ted Daniels “didn’t deserve to live,” mocking the veteran’s combat injuries. When asked about the remarks, Platner declined to apologize, asserting that many of his friends are also Purple Heart recipients.

The controversies have sparked backlash from voters and Democratic figures, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, and have become a focal point in the campaign against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.