Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union on Oct. 26, 2025, Sen. Chris Murphy said he plans to meet Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after CNN reported Platner once had a Totenkopf tattoo, describing the Democrat as a “human being who made mistakes.”
During a CNN State of the Union interview on Oct. 26, host Jake Tapper noted Murphy had called Graham Platner “impressive” earlier in the month and asked if he still felt that way given CNN reporting that Platner once had a Totenkopf—the skull emblem associated with the Nazi SS—tattooed on his chest. Tapper added that CNN’s KFile found instances suggesting Platner had discussed the symbol in recent years. Murphy replied that he had seen the reporting and intended to meet Platner in the coming week. (transcripts.cnn.com)
Murphy then emphasized Platner’s background and personal struggles: “He sounds like a human being to me, a human being who made mistakes, recognizes them, and is very open about it,” he said, while reiterating he wanted to speak with Platner directly. (murphy.senate.gov)
Platner, a Marine veteran and Democratic Senate hopeful in Maine, has said he got the skull-and-crossbones tattoo in 2007 while on leave in Croatia and did not understand its Nazi association at the time. After the controversy, he covered the tattoo with a new design. The Associated Press and other outlets have reported on the episode and on scrutiny of Platner’s past Reddit posts, for which he has apologized. Separately, CNN’s KFile has highlighted archived posts and accounts from an acquaintance that call into question Platner’s claim that he learned of the symbol’s meaning only recently. (apnews.com)
Murphy’s posture on the CNN program stood in contrast to his approach in January. On Jan. 21, 2025, at a Senate hearing, he pressed Rep. Elise Stefanik about Elon Musk’s straight‑arm gestures during inauguration‑day events, asking about “two ‘Heil Hitler’ salutes” at a televised rally the night before; Stefanik rejected the premise. Murphy’s office later posted a transcript quoting both his question and Stefanik’s response. (murphy.senate.gov)
At the time, Musk’s gesture drew criticism and support. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly defended Musk, and the Anti‑Defamation League said the movement appeared to be “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.” Coverage by major outlets described the gesture occurring during inauguration events at Washington’s Capital One Arena. (timesofisrael.com)
