Warren Backs Candidate with Nazi-Linked Tattoo After Criticizing Hegseth’s Ink
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Wednesday posted a social media endorsement for Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner. She praised Platner as “the real deal” and highlighted his willingness to challenge the status quo. Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer, has faced scrutiny over a chest tattoo resembling a symbol linked to the SS, which he has since removed and apologized for.
Platner’s controversies
Platner’s tattoo drew national attention when images surfaced at campaign events. He said he did not know the symbol’s meaning and later had it removed.
Old Reddit posts from 2013 also resurfaced. One comment suggested victims should not “get so f—ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to.” Platner apologized in a video after those posts made headlines last fall.
Mills campaign response
Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign produced an attack ad focusing on the tattoo and the Reddit remarks. The ad includes footage of Platner shirtless and reads his past comments aloud with an actor’s voice.
The campaign says it is spending six figures to run the spot statewide. Four women featured in the ad call the Reddit remarks “horrible,” “disgusting,” and “disqualifying.”
Warren’s approach and past criticism
Warren backed Platner despite his controversies. Her decision has drawn attention because she previously questioned Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth about his Christian tattoos.
Warren had cited a Reuters account that a National Guard supervisor removed Hegseth from inauguration duty over tattoos. The tattoos included a Jerusalem Cross and the Latin phrase “Deus Vult.”
Hegseth’s military record and hearing
Hegseth defended his tattoos during his confirmation hearing with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. He completed multiple overseas deployments and earned two Bronze Stars.
Warren wrote a 33-page letter raising concerns that fellow servicemembers saw Hegseth as a potential insider threat. Hegseth has denied disloyalty and defended his faith-based body art.
Primary dynamics and stakes
Recent polls show Platner holding a sizable lead over Mills with under three months until Maine’s primary. Both candidates aim to win the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins.
Democrats view Collins as vulnerable as she seeks a sixth term. Party strategists see the Maine contest as a must-win to regain the Senate majority in the midterms.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, is backing Gov. Mills in the primary. Filmogaz.com reached out to Warren’s office for comment.
Observers noted the contrast between Warren backing candidate behavior tied to a Nazi-linked tattoo and her past scrutiny of Hegseth’s ink. The juxtaposition has drawn commentary about consistency in how officials assess political controversies.
