Story perspectives

Rep. Auchincloss Bars Senate Candidate Over Nazi Tattoo

5/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said Graham Platner’s SS Totenkopf tattoo disqualifies him personally from office.
Auchincloss publicly opposed Platner’s Maine U.S. Senate candidacy because of the tattoo controversy.
Platner covered the tattoo after criticism and said he got it in 2007 Croatia with Marines, unaware of Nazi symbolism.
Saikat Chakrabarti said Auchincloss’s stance helps Republican Senator Susan Collins, despite backing for Platner from Bernie Sanders and other Democrats.

History

Historical Context

In January 2019 the House stripped Rep. Steve King of all committee assignments after a five-minute video praising white supremacists drew a 416-1 rebuke and sparked a $0.5 million fundraising surge for his allies. The fallout set a precedent that Rep. Jake Auchincloss and Sen. Susan Collins cited when confronting Graham Platner’s Totenkopf tattoo, highlighting the GOP’s ongoing battle to police extremist symbols.

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Story summary

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said Graham Platner’s SS Totenkopf tattoo disqualifies him personally from office.
Auchincloss publicly opposed Platner’s Maine U.S. Senate candidacy because of the tattoo controversy.
Platner covered the tattoo after criticism and said he got it in 2007 Croatia with Marines, unaware of Nazi symbolism.
Saikat Chakrabarti said Auchincloss’s stance helps Republican Senator Susan Collins, despite backing for Platner from Bernie Sanders and other Democrats.

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