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Biden ex-chief of staff Ron Klain sparks backlash defending Nazi tattoo

Klain called the criticism of Platner's tattoo a partisan attack and said it honored fallen comrades.

Biden ex-chief of staff Ron Klain sparks backlash defending Nazi tattoo
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This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026
Fox News
Jun 11, 2026
tl;dr

Ron Klain drew criticism after defending Maine Senate Democratic nominee Graham Platner’s Nazi-linked tattoo as a skull and crossbones honoring fallen comrades. Critics called Klain’s defense an effort to minimize the controversy, while Platner has denied the tattoo was intended as a Nazi symbol. [No bracketed notes]

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Former Biden chief of staff who defended Platner's tattoo

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Maine Democratic Senate nominee whose tattoo is at the center of the controversy

Platner's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator Platner is seeking to unseat

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who removed Klain from the Holocaust Memorial Council

Former president who appointed Klain to the Holocaust Memorial Council

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader whose support for Platner is criticized

ALSO MENTIONED  David Friedman, Former U.S. ambassador to Israel who criticized Klain's defense

Part of a bigger story

3 OUTLETS
Ron Klain Defends Graham Platner Over Tattoo Criticism

The articles report that Ron Klain defended Graham Platner over a tattoo described as Nazi-associated. Right-leaning outlets focus on criticism of Klain's defense; one article also contrasts Airbnb's silence with its earlier distancing from a cofounder's work with the Trump administration.

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