A senior House Democrat has criticized Senate candidate Graham Platner over his claim of being unaware of his tattoo’s Nazi origins. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., expressed disbelief, stating, “There’s no way he didn’t know what the tattoo was.” His comments were reported by Punchbowl News, highlighting a mounting issue for Platner.
Platner, known as a far-left populist, is challenging Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in a highly contested race in the upcoming midterm elections. Despite being the presumptive nominee for the Maine Democrats, Platner faces skepticism rooted in various controversies.
“He’s not willing to own it and move on,” Schneider remarked. He lamented Platner’s reluctance to address the issue.
The criticism follows a report by The New York Times citing former girlfriends of Platner. They claimed he was aware of his tattoo’s Nazi connections. Lyndsey Fifield, one of the ex-girlfriends, recalled Platner referring to the tattoo as “my Totenkopf,” linking it to Nazi SS forces.
Platner denied these allegations in a recent interview, yet faced questions regarding a text from Fifield. She had informed friends of the tattoo’s meaning in August 2025, prior to Platner’s public acknowledgment. In defending himself, Platner stated, “I certainly didn’t know,” and clarified he was not part of those text exchanges.
Additionally, Fifield accused Platner of assault during their relationship, a claim he refutes. The tattoo, once visible, has since been covered, as it emerged as a political issue in late 2025. Platner shared that he got the tattoo during a 2007 incident while drinking with Marines in Croatia.
Schneider voiced difficulty supporting Platner as a voter in Maine, given the controversies. He noted, “I’ll leave it to the people of Maine to elect who they want… I’m grateful I don’t have to make that choice.” His remarks emphasize the internal divisions among Democrats regarding Platner’s candidacy.
Other Democrats, including Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., have criticized Platner. Fetterman remarked on the perceived implications of such tattoos, suggesting a Nazi sympathizer connection.
Platner’s campaign recently responded to these ongoing issues, but the controversies continue to be a focal point in his run for the Senate.
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