The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political action committee, has claimed responsibility for a stunt aimed at linking Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin to racists on Friday.
The organization has reportedly spent $17,100 on efforts to support Democrat Terry McAuliffe, while spending approximately $280,000 on anti-Youngkin efforts.
A photo was shared online Friday morning of people dressed in white shirts and khakis while holding tiki torches. They were standing next to Youngkin’s campaign bus. Their outfits were similar to those worn by some at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, where many white supremacist groups gathered.
The Lincoln Project released a statement claiming “Today’s demonstration was our way of reminding Virginians what happened in Charlottesville four years ago, the Republican Party’s embrace of those values, and Glenn Youngkin’s failure to condemn it”.
“The Lincoln Project has run advertisements highlighting the hate unleashed in Charlottesville as well as Glenn Youngkin’s continued failure to denounce Donald Trump’s ‘very fine people on both sides,'” they said. “We will continue to draw this contrast in broadcast videos, on our social media platforms, and at Youngkin rallies”.
The Youngkin campaign quickly pointed out the staged incident and had accused Terry McAuliffe’s campaign of potentially being behind it.
The McAuliffe campaign has condemned the Lincoln Project’s stunt, but many are still questioning its involvement. “What happened today in Charlottesville is disgusting and distasteful and the McAuliffe campaign condemns it in the strongest terms. Those involved should immediately apologize,” it said.
Donald Trump Jr. tweeted about the issue, saying “No chance Lincoln Project staged this, even though a ‘white supremacist’ rally is right up Confederate Rick Wilson’s alley”. “The VA dem operatives involved have already been identified & locked down their social media. Busted. Don’t let Pedo Project take the hit for McAuliffe,” he added.
Many are asking for evidence that the Lincoln Project was behind what is now being called “TikiGate”. The actors’ identities are being revealed online and they are being linked to McAuliffe and the Democratic Party of Virginia.
The updated Washington Post-Schar School poll shows McAuliffe just slightly ahead of Youngkin with 49% to 48%. The election is coming up on Tuesday Nov. 2.