Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) has come to the defense of Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner amid controversy over a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol, saying the Democratic front-runner took responsibility for what he called a mistake and should not be disqualified from the race.
The dispute centers on a chest tattoo that Platner, a Marine veteran, later said resembled a Totenkopf — an insignia used by Adolf Hitler's soldiers in Nazi Germany. Platner said he only learned of the symbol's meaning after reporters and Washington insiders brought it to his attention, and he has since had it covered up.
"Graham clearly made a mistake," Moulton told CNN on Wednesday. "What I appreciated about him is he owned that mistake. He took responsibility for it. And I don't think that that's disqualifying."
What the Left Is Saying
Moulton's defense reflects a divide within the Democratic Party over how to handle the controversy. Supporters argue that Platner's immediate acknowledgment and willingness to address the issue head-on demonstrate accountability.
"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," Platner said in a statement defending himself against critics who questioned his knowledge of the symbol's history.
Saikat Chakrabarti, a Democratic candidate for California's 11th House District and former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), pushed back on criticism from within the party, arguing that internal divisions only benefit Republicans in key battleground races.
"Jake Auchincloss is essentially endorsing Susan Collins in Maine," Chakrabarti wrote in a post on the social platform X. "Absolutely no excuse for a Democrat in the House to back a Republican for Senate in a crucial swing seat."
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics have seized on the controversy as evidence of poor judgment, arguing that any candidate seeking statewide office should be held to a higher standard regarding symbols associated with hate groups. The Totenkopf, while used historically by military units beyond Nazi Germany, is most widely recognized in modern context for its association with Hitler's regime.
Some Republican strategists have suggested the incident could energize conservative voters in Maine and provide ammunition for Collins's campaign messaging against Platner. The incumbent senator has not yet issued a public statement on the matter, but her campaign is expected to address it as the June 9 primary approaches.
What the Numbers Show
Platner entered the race after Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) ended her Senate bid late last month, quickly emerging as the Democratic front-runner against Collins. New polling shows Platner holding a 9-point lead over the incumbent Republican senator in early matchup surveys, according to internal data cited by the campaign.
The Maine primary is scheduled for June 9. If Platner secures the nomination, he would face Collins in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle, with control of the chamber potentially hinging on outcomes in battleground states like Maine.
The Bottom Line
The controversy highlights the challenges facing Democrats as they seek to unseat Collins in a state that has shifted toward competitiveness in recent election cycles. Moulton's public defense signals that establishment Democrats are standing behind Platner despite the backlash, while Auchincloss's refusal to endorse him underscores lingering concerns about electability and messaging.
What happens next: Party leaders will watch the June 9 primary closely. If Platner secures the nomination as expected, national Democratic groups are likely to invest heavily in the race — but the tattoo controversy may continue to surface in Republican advertising against him.