Democratic Senate candidate pledges to remove tattoo after backlash over resemblance to Nazi symbol

By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - US Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner said Tuesday he will remove a chest tattoo after learning it “resembled a Nazi symbol,” following a viral video that sparked nationwide criticism.

“It was not until I started hearing from reporters and DC insiders that I realized this tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol,” Platner told Politico.

“I absolutely would not have gone through life having this on my chest if I knew that—and to insinuate that I did is disgusting. I am already planning to get this removed,” he added.

The image, reportedly similar to a Nazi SS Totenkopf, drew outrage online after circulating earlier this week.

On Monday's episode of Pod Save America, host Tommy Vietor inquired whether he was "a secret Nazi." Platner responded, "I am not a secret Nazi," explaining that he chose the "inebriated" design while serving in the Marines after spotting it on the wall of a tattoo parlor in Croatia.

“We chose a terrifying-looking skull and crossbones off the wall because we were marines,” Platner said. “If I was trying to hide it, I’ve not been doing a very good job for the past eighteen years.”

The controversy adds to scrutiny over old Reddit posts unearthed by CNN, in which Platner made inflammatory comments about police and race—remarks he has since disavowed.