UMVA has learned that former President Joe Biden’s former chief of staff, Ron Klain, ignited a scorching online battle after stepping into the controversy surrounding Maine Senate Democratic nominee Graham Platner’s tattoo, which many identify as a Nazi‑style SS skull‑and‑crossbones.
Klain, who served as Biden’s chief of staff from 2021 to 2023 and later became Airbnb’s chief legal officer, attempted to downplay the ink, insisting it was a tribute to fallen comrades from his Afghanistan service.
His defense sparked a fierce backlash from the Republican Jewish Coalition, which had condemned the tattoo and urged Democrats to withdraw support for Platner.
Critics on social media slammed Klain, arguing his justification revealed a troubling willingness among Democratic leaders to excuse extremist symbols for political gain.
“A former White House chief of staff and Holocaust Museum council member should know better,” one commentator wrote, accusing Klain of whitewashing a symbol linked to genocide.
Platner, who has since covered the tattoo, maintains it was never intended as a Nazi emblem, yet multiple insiders describe the design as unmistakably SS‑related.
During his victory speech, Platner acknowledged the uproar, calling his past mistakes “regrets” and pledging personal growth, while urging voters to give him a chance to serve as a senator for those “who cannot afford to buy a senator.”
The controversy compounds a string of allegations against Platner, including past inflammatory remarks and accusations of aggressive behavior toward a former partner, all of which he denies.
Even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest‑ranking elected Jewish official in the United States, has continued to endorse Platner, refusing to retract his support despite mounting pressure.
In the wake of the dispute, observers note that Klain’s attempt to defend the tattoo not only fuels partisan tension but also raises unsettling questions about the standards of accountability within the party.
