The dirtbag left, as it became known, mostly revolved, at its start, around the podcast "Chapo Trap House," the Democratic Socialists of America, and a few scattered high-follower social-media accounts. Its adherents were largely disaffected Bernie Sanders supporters who believed that the populist movement behind their candidate had been upended and diverted by a cabal of soulless careerists in both politics and, perhaps more pointedly, in the political media.
The Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has absorbed enough oppo research to kill half a dozen healthy candidacies. Among the stream of revelations, Platner has called himself a Communist, hinted at political violence, labeled all cops bastards, broadly described rural white people as racist and stupid, downplayed sexual assault, and mocked gay people. He recently covered and apologized for a skull-and-crossbones tattoo associated with the Nazi SS, claiming he hadn't been aware of its political connotations.
After his splashy debut on the political scene, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has been playing defense following reports on his past controversial Reddit posts. But the hits kept on coming after it was revealed that the veteran and oyster farmer has a skull and crossbones tattoo that resembles a prominent Nazi emblem. But on Wednesday, Platner revealed that he has since had the tattoo covered up in the wake of the burgeoning controversy.
Graham Platner is a great working class candidate for Senate in Maine who will defeat Susan Collins, Sanders wrote on X, adding: It's disappointing that some Democratic leaders are urging Governor Mills to run. We need to focus on winning that seat & not waste millions on an unnecessary & divisive primary.