Biden's former chief of staff defends Senate candidate's tattoo

Ron Klain defended Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's tattoo in an exchange with the Republican Jewish Coalition on its Instagram post. Klain wrote that the tattoo was a skull and crossbones to remember fallen comrades from service in Afghanistan.

The Republican Jewish Coalition posted that Klain was whitewashing an SS Totenkopf tattoo. Several critics on social media called the defense dishonest and said Airbnb, where Klain serves as chief legal officer, should be concerned.

Background on the tattoo Platner has said the tattoo was not intended as a Nazi symbol and has covered it. Multiple people familiar with the candidate have identified it as an SS skull-and-crossbones design. Platner stated during his victory speech that redemption is a journey and that he continues to learn from mistakes.

Klain's prior roles Klain served as chief of staff to former President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2023. Biden appointed him to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council in January 2025; President Trump removed him nearly four months later.