Democrats Are Being Torn Apart By Graham Platner’s Sh*tposting

Democrats are split over Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after resurfaced Reddit posts and a viral video showing a tattoo resembling a Nazi “Death’s Head” emblem reignited scrutiny of his past.

The contention has divided progressives and party insiders, with some hailing Platner as an outsider unafraid to speak bluntly and others warning he could become a political liability. Platner told the Associated Press he chose to cover the tattoo with a new design rather than remove it, citing limited options for removal in rural Maine. (RELATED: Democrat Senate Candidate Graham Platner Denies His Uncovered Tattoo Is Nazi Symbol)

“Going to a tattoo removal place is going to take a while,” he said. “I wanted this thing off my body.”

Platner’s scandal broke just days after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills entered the Senate race, reportedly after urging from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Schumer, a key power broker in the party, has distanced himself from Platner. When asked Tuesday whether the scandal should disqualify the candidate, he said he’d “let the people of Maine decide.”

Both Mills and Platner are seeking to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race that could determine control of the Senate.

“We think that Janet Mills is the best candidate to retire Susan Collins,” Schumer said. “She’s a tested two-term governor, and the people of Maine have an enormous amount of affection and respect for her.”

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin called Platner’s past “indefensible, hurtful and offensive,” but said they were not “disqualifying.” (RELATED: Lefties Suddenly Change Tune On ‘Locker Room Talk’ After Their Graham Platner’s Reddit Posts Leaked)

Ari Drennen, LGBTQ program director at Media Matters, mocked Platner’s wedding video in a post on X, writing, “Honestly, ‘my wedding gift to my brother was me doing a shirtless lip sync’ is in itself a pretty big red flag.”

Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, however, has continued to defend Platner, reaffirming his support Tuesday when asked about the tattoo scandal and citing his long relationship with the former Sanders campaign supporter, according to Politico.

“Look, I understand this whole platoon — I don’t know too much about it — got inebriated,” Sanders told the outlet. “He went through a dark period. He’s not the only one in America who has gone through a dark period. People go through that. He has apologized for the stupid remarks, the hurtful remarks that he made, and I’m confident that he’s going to run a great campaign and that he’s going to win.”

Krystal Ball, cohost of the “Breaking Points” podcast, also defended Platner in an X post, siding with the Maine candidate’s anti-establishment posture.

“For me personally I’ll take a candidate with a regrettable tattoo over one who has steadfastly supported a genocide.”

Mills has previously spoken about antisemitism at events such as a December 2024 gathering hosted by the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, according to WGME 13 News.

She expressed strong support for Maine’s Jewish community amid the conflict in the Middle East and criticized municipal leaders in Belfast and Portland for voting to divest from Israel.

“I can say that I hear you, and I can tell you I will not support any similar divestments at the state level should any such legislation reach my desk,” Mills said. 

Emma Vigeland, cohost of “The Majority Report,” criticized efforts by establishment Democrats to sideline Platner, arguing that party elites selectively forgive misconduct when it involves “corporate centrists” such as former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“Censorious, hall monitor liberalism that refuses to accept growth in people — unless you’re a corporate centrist and all is forgiven, just ask Cuomo supporters — is far more of a threat to the Democratic Party’s chances in the future than anything dug up on Graham Platner.”