The Find Out Podcast

Episode: Is Graham Platner's Campaign Toast?

Date: October 23, 2025

Brief Overview

This episode dives deep into controversies swirling around Graham Platner, a Maine Senate candidate, focusing on his recently uncovered racist Reddit comments and an old tattoo associated with Nazi symbolism. The Find Out crew—Tim, Chris, and Richard—also weigh in on the ongoing government shutdown under Trump’s second term, Trump administration scandals, and troubling VA healthcare restrictions. With honesty and irreverence, the gang examines what it means for someone like Platner to survive scandal in the Democratic Party—but not before skewering the latest MAGA absurdities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shutdown Mayhem and Trump’s Absurd Grievances (00:16–13:08)

• Republicans Take the Blame: The public blames the GOP for the continued government shutdown since they control all levers of government (00:45).
• Extravagant Administration Spending:
  • White House partially demolished for a new ballroom—$250 million spent.
  • Kristi Noem getting two luxury jets totaling $137 million.
  • Trump demanding $230 million from the Justice Department to “settle” criminal charges (01:32).
• Panel’s Take:
  • “It’s grievance money... a billionaire wants the taxpayers to pay him $230 million to, to what, fix his broken heart?” – A (02:22)
  • “He actually should be able to just personally enrich myself, like directly just take money from the treasury…” – C (02:41)
• Justice Department’s Role & Accountability:
  • Skepticism Trump’s demand will succeed—the hope is in organizations like CREW that document ethics violations (“CREW is taking all the notes… they are good people and they take notes.” – C, 05:12).
  • Personal stories of digital directors being targeted during past administrations.

2. Corruption, Emoluments, and Democratic Accountability (08:13–13:08)

• Trump Admin Enrichment: Not just refusing a salary, but making billions via office—Jared Kushner’s $2 billion Saudi deal among examples (09:26).
• Media and Institutional Failure: Corporate media and law enforcement have failed to hold Trump accountable.
• Merrick Garland Critique: Garland called “the worst choice for Attorney General” for not prosecuting more aggressively (11:31).

3. Graham Platner Senate Scandal: Racist Reddit Comments & Nazi Tattoo (13:08–44:13)

• The Rise and Immediate Crisis:

  • Platner, a Marine and Maine native, was gaining attention—record fundraising ($3 million in a month) and Bernie endorsement.
  • Exposed on Reddit for past racist comments (“asking the community why black people don’t tip”) (13:08).
  • Revelation of a Totenkopf (SS “Death’s Head”) tattoo, a recognized Nazi symbol (13:47).

• Panel’s Reactions and Expert Analysis:

  • “It’s inexcusable to have a Totenkopf tattooed on your chest and to not understand how not just deeply offending it can be to people, but how threatening...” – C (14:06)
  • Issue is not just offense, but symbolizing violence and threat as a public figure.
  • Complexity of “redemption arcs” explored—real accountability vs. political expedience.

• Redemption Stories & Nuance:

  • Chris shares his own transformation post-military, confronting past racism and publicly testifying before Congress: “I was a racist. And that's part of what drove me to join the Army… I didn't say it in the best way.” – C (22:20)
  • Discussion around whether people can be forgiven for old transgressions if they demonstrate real change.

• Platner’s Defense and Panel Skepticism:

  • Platner claims ignorance about the tattoo’s meaning until the story broke, and covered it up within 24 hours (20:37).
  • Mixed responses:
    • “...I would have taken a cheese grater to my chest the second if I couldn't get it removed...” – B (26:33)
    • “It really feels like a cop out to me.” – C (40:50)
  • Broader discussion of the double standard between Democrats and Republicans over scandals: “Democrats also do this. Like, we are the ones who are going to come after ourselves because we hold ourselves to a higher standard…” – A (18:09)
  • Can Platner survive? “It really depends on the next few days. I think he has to own it.” – B (33:45)
  • Maine voter reactions so far: lots of “I don’t know.”

• Wider Lessons About Candidate Vetting & Electability:

  • Tension between relatable “real people” candidates and the pressure for spotless records.
  • Fear that only “prep school” politicians survive, making the party unrelatable to many Americans.
  • Panel expresses hope Democratic voters will decide based on real accountability—not just perfection or purity.

4. Breaking: VA Health Care Restrictions for Veterans (45:04–49:08)

• CNN Story Origin: Chris, tipped off by a whistleblowing VA psychologist, highlights a now-national issue where the VA imposes arbitrary caps on mental health visits; whistleblowers risk their jobs to publicize this (45:04).
• Potential Impact: Policy likely to harm veterans in need of personalized care.
• Panel’s Role: “I'm just glad the story's finally getting out there... This story will ultimately force this policy to be reversed.” – C (47:48)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Trump’s $230 million “settlement”:
  • “It’s grievance money… a billionaire wants the taxpayers to pay him $230 million to… fix his broken heart?” – A (02:22)
• On Democratic vs. Republican scandals:
  • “Donald Trump says 17 things a day that are worse than anything that Graham Platner's ever said… and so this double standard is very, very frustrating, but it's still something we have to deal with.” – A (19:17)
• On forgiveness and redemption:
  • “You complete your own redemption arc and then… present the new version of yourself… and ask for forgiveness.” – A (17:31)
• On Platner’s tattoo and candidate vetting:
  • “It is concerning to me that there was some reporting yesterday…he had told a friend…he knew exactly what it was. And that is concerning… that’s my concern.” – B (16:13)
• On personal transformation:
  • “I was a racist. And that's part of what drove me to join the Army. That is a very oversimplified way…” – C (22:20)
• On policy and political action:
  • “...If Platner… can move on from this, he's still, I feel like a person who's gonna have a stronger bias for sharper, more decisive action.” – A (43:06)
• On the VA scandal:
  • “Hospitals are threatening to fire and otherwise discipline mental health providers who refuse to stop seeing their patients… This is literally going to kill people. This is a terrible policy.” – C (46:11)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Shutdown discussion begins: 00:16
• Trump’s settlement demand & CREW ethics chat: 01:32–07:25
• Merrick Garland, DOJ critique, lack of accountability: 11:06–13:08
• Graham Platner’s racist comments/tattoo controversy begins: 13:08
• Totenkopf tattoo discussion / Nazi symbolism explained: 14:06
• Redemption arc and candidate vetting debate: 17:31–20:37
• Platner’s timeline, tattoo coverup, and personal stories: 20:37–28:51
• Will Platner survive the scandal? Panel speculation: 31:19–36:31
• Meta-discussion on candidate authenticity & the party: 36:31–44:13
• VA health care restrictions segment begins: 45:04

Memorable Moments

• Chris’s insistence that military culture means you don’t keep a Nazi tattoo, calling the quick coverup “a cop out” (40:50).
• Richard, the Platner superfan, wrestling with disappointment and betrayal over the scandal (41:57).
• Panel’s mix of gallows humor and anger over yet another Trumpian crisis: “Go commit all the crimes because justice will come. Might take a few years, but it’s going to happen.” – C (03:41).
• Meta-reflection about the podcast’s mission—real accountability, impact first, and helping listeners sort through the “flood of garbage” in politics (48:13).

Tone & Style

This episode is frank, irreverent, emotional, and determinedly non-echo-chamber. The hosts blend serious, personal reflection with biting humor and left-wing criticism, holding both their own side and their opponents to account. The discussion is engaging, often raw, and underscores the messiness of practicing real, non-purist politics in a time of crisis.

For listeners:

• Expect nuanced debate about redemption in politics, authentic candidate vetting, and the high standards (sometimes impossibly high) to which Democrats hold themselves.
• The Platner controversy is contextualized in both personal experience and broader political currents, without easy answers.
• Final note: Listeners and callers are asked for their views on whether Platner deserves a second chance—demonstrating Find Out’s commitment to genuine, two-way engagement.