Graham Platner: The ‘A-Hole Extraordinaire’ Bartender with a Dark Past

Graham Platner, the Maine Senate candidate, is not just facing scrutiny for his political ambitions; he’s also been labeled an “a-hole extraordinaire” from his days as a bartender in Washington, D.C.

Platner, who is attempting to unseat a long-standing Republican Senator, has a reputation that extends beyond politics. A regular at the Tune Inn described him as deeply unpleasant, claiming he was “troubled, dark,” and unfriendly.

Wayne Laugesen, an independent journalist, recounted his experiences with Platner, stating that attempts at conversation were met with cold indifference. “No smile, no acknowledgement,” he said. “Just nothing coming back that was friendly and warm.”

Platner worked at the Tune Inn for at least five years during his time in Washington from 2011 to 2016. He returned from a tour in Afghanistan as a Marine in 2011 and began bartending in his late twenties to early thirties.

His time behind the bar coincided with heavy drinking that led to a DUI arrest and conviction in 2011, resulting in a suspended driving license for a year.

Laugesen noted that Platner seemed to resent his job. “If you asked him for a beer or a cheeseburger, it was a bother to him,” he said. This attitude drove Laugesen and his wife to seek out other bars whenever they spotted Platner working.

Platner was known to hang out at the Tune Inn off-duty, often taking his shirt off while drinking late into the night. In 2012, he boasted about a skull and crossbones tattoo on his chest, which is recognized as the “death’s head” symbol associated with Nazi SS death squads.

A former acquaintance recalled him referring to it as his “Totenkopf” in a casual manner, highlighting his troubling attitude.

This week, Platner denied allegations of physical abuse against an ex-girlfriend, including claims that he once locked her in a bedroom.

His past is marred by a series of racist comments made in now-deleted online posts. He infamously questioned why black people don’t tip in a 2013 Reddit post, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

“I work as a bartender and it always amazes me how solid this stereotype is,” he wrote. He claimed that while some black patrons left decent tips, most tipped between 0-5%, questioning the reasoning behind it.

The Tune Inn may have played a pivotal role in shaping Platner’s political aspirations. The bar is popular among Capitol Hill staffers and political journalists, where he formed connections that would later aid his campaign.

Ryan Grim, a former HuffPost DC bureau chief and friend from the Tune Inn days, helped amplify Platner’s narrative despite his wealthy background. Grim recounted how Platner served him almost every Sunday at the bar.

During his bartending years, Platner began struggling with PTSD, according to his campaign. He attended classes at George Washington University but dropped out in 2016 to return to Maine.

His campaign did not respond to requests for comment.