Lawmaker Draws Fire From Left And Right After Softening Criticism Of Scandal-Hit Maine Senate Candidate

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) faced sharp criticism from both progressives and conservatives after he appeared to soften his public condemnation of Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, over a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery.

What Auchincloss Said

Auchincloss initially denounced Platner's now-infamous black skull-and-crossbones tattoo and urged Maine Democrats to consider alternatives, saying he found the tattoo and Platner's comments about it 'personally disqualifying.' Within a day, the congressman clarified his position on social media: he reiterated his personal opposition to Platner but said he was not endorsing Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and emphasized the broader priority of helping Democrats retake the Senate.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, left, is set to face a bruising re-election challenge from Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, right.

'Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history. Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers,' Auchincloss wrote, adding: 'Regardless of what happens in Maine, Democrats need to take back the Senate, and I'll keep working hard to make it happen.'

Reactions From Across The Spectrum

The shift in tone drew immediate rebukes from across the political spectrum. Progressive commentators argued Auchincloss's mixed messaging undermines Democratic efforts to win a critical Senate seat. Journalist Peter Beinart called the stance 'totally incoherent,' warning that opposing both nominees risks forfeiting the race. Progressive strategist Rachel Bitecofer criticized Auchincloss for focusing on symbolism rather than policy.

Some Democrats urged private engagement: Tommy Vietor, a Platner ally and co-host of Pod Save America, asked whether Auchincloss had tried to resolve his concerns directly with Platner. Conservatives, by contrast, accused Auchincloss of 'caving'—mocking his reversal and portraying it as weakness.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., raises hands with Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner during a "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Portland, Maine, on May 25, 2026.

Background On Graham Platner

Platner disclosed on a 2025 episode of Pod Save America that he once had a black skull-and-crossbones tattoo he says he received in 2007 while drinking on leave during a Marine deployment in Split, Croatia. He says he later covered the design and was not aware of its alleged Nazi associations at the time.

Multiple outlets, including CNN and Jewish Insider, have reported claims that Platner knew about the design's affiliation with Nazi SS symbolism, a report that has intensified scrutiny. He has also faced criticism for since-deleted Reddit posts in which he used inflammatory language and made controversial remarks; some of those posts were first reported by Fox News Digital.

Political Stakes

Platner emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee after Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign ahead of the June primary. Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, is widely regarded as vulnerable, making Maine a potential swing race that could affect which party controls the Senate. Critics on both sides framed Auchincloss’s remarks through that strategic lens—progressives as a threat to defeating Collins, conservatives as an example of Democrats softening on scandal.

Fox News Digital sought comment from Auchincloss before publication.