Graham Platton, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is under fire after a woman claimnig to be his former girlfriend said he cheated on his fiancée and defended a Totenkopf skull‑and‑crossbones tattoo as a reminder that the United States was "the evil bad guy overseas." The allegations emerged in September 2024, just days after Platton secured the party’s nomination.

Ex‑girlfriend alleges Platton cheated and defended Totenkopf tattoo

The anonymous source told the outlet that she confronted Platton about the tattoo’s origins in September 2021 and he admitted it was linked to Nazi symbolism. She provided screenshots of text messages in which Platton described the ink as a personal reminder of U.S. foreign policy misdeeds. The same woman said Platton pursued a romantic relationship with her while engaged to his fiancée, effectively cheating.

Campaign spins tattoo as Ramadi “bravado sob story”

Platton’s campaign spokesperson responded by framing the tattoo as a "bravado sob story" about surviving combat in Ramadi, Iraq, and losing friends there. The spokesperson contrasted Platton’s willingness to discuss the tattoo with Senator Susan Collins’ refusal to address her own controversial votes, attempting to shift the narrative toward military service.

Multiple women recount heavy drinking and alleged aggression

Beyond the ex‑girlfriend’s claims, conservative commentator Lyndsey Fifield, who dated Platton from 2013 to 2015 , said he was "rough" when talking about violence and once held her against her will during an argument. Fifield also expressed doubt about Platton’s ignorance of the tattoo’s meaning. Additional women have described a pattern of heavy drinking, womanizing, and "unsettling" behavior during their relationships with Platton.

Unverified claims and missing police reports

While the accusations are detailed, no police reports or legal filings have been made public, leaving key allegations unverified. As the article notes, Platton secured his nomination only days after the first wave of women came forward, suggesting the timing may influence voter perception. According to the source, the campaign has not released the full text message logs, and the women involved have not pursued formal complaints.

According to the report, the former girlfriend’s screenshots and the timeline of messages are the primary evidence presented so far. As the race heads into the general election, the story adds another layer of scrutiny to Platton’s candidacy.