Update: The Lincoln Project has since taken responsibility for the tiki torch hoax.
A statement from The Lincoln Project regarding the events at Glenn Youngkin’s bus tour. https://t.co/bcm8iP3EUZ
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) October 29, 2021
Photos have surfaced on social media depicting "white supremacists" at a Glenn Youngkin campaign stop in Charlottesville, Virginia, which were revealed to be members of the Virginia Democrats.
A group of people were photographed outside the Republican gubernatorial candidate's bus dressed in khakis, white button up shirts, baseball caps, and holding tiki torches, which were prominently seen during the tragic events that unfolded during a white supremacist rally in the city in 2017.
VA Democrats are apparently so racist that they think black Americans will fall for this obvious stupidity pic.twitter.com/POAyUrI7pB
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 29, 2021
The group was first spotted outside Youngkin's election campaign event at a Mexican restaurant by NBC 29 reporter Elizabeth Holmes.
These men approached @GlennYoungkin’s bus as it pulled up saying what sounded like, “We’re all in for Glenn.” Here they are standing in front of the bus as his campaign event at Guadalajara started.@NBC29 pic.twitter.com/l681ejyBjc
— Elizabeth Holmes (@holmes_reports) October 29, 2021
Twitter users were quick to start digging into the identities of those who appeared as part of this group.
A Twitter user going by "Jewish Deplorable" uncovered the identity of one of the group, who was revealed to have been the finance director of the Virginia Young Democrats, and part of the Virginia Democrats at George Mason University.
BREAKING: Financial director for Young VA Dems has gone private after being exposed for posing as a white supremacist pic.twitter.com/fbCbafIiZf
— Jewish Deplorable (@TrumpJew2) October 29, 2021
After having allegations thrown against him, Camden Layton, the man identified, then locked all his social media as a response.
Alec Sears then identified the sole female member of the group as Colleen Wachenfeld. Her twitter originally stated that she is part of the Virginia Democrats.
? I am now confident that we have identified the woman in this group of political actors as Colleen Wachenfeld, with @vademocrats. pic.twitter.com/qySknRSUrd
— Alec Sears (@alec_sears) October 29, 2021
Since then, her account has changed appearance many times, including numerous changes to profile photos, and changes to her username and display name.
Holy sh*t
— Jewish Deplorable (@TrumpJew2) October 29, 2021
Colleen Wachenfeld rebranded her Twitter account handle several times after being exposed for posing as a neo-Nazi pic.twitter.com/DhltQl7mhF
When asked about Friday's incident, Youngkin told NBC 29 in a press statement:
"I think they work for Terry McAuliffe, and I'm sure he sent them. They'll do anything to win, and he's doing anything to win, and so he's paying people to show up and act silly at our rallies."
Jen Goodman, a communications director for the McAuliffe campaign initially promoted the stunt, saying on Twitter: "This is disgusting and disqualifying."
BREAKING: Terry McAuliffe campaign officially promoted the debunked tiki torch false flag operation pic.twitter.com/bzgo0Mcztx
— Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) October 29, 2021
McAuliffe's campaign has denied their role in the group's appearance, stating: "The Democratic Party of Virginia, along with its coordinated partners and its affiliates, did not have any role in the events that happened outside of the Youngkin campaign bus stop today."
Statement on Glenn Youngkin’s bus stop earlier today: pic.twitter.com/Hw0svCAW9W
— Andrew Whitley (@AndrewWhitleyVA) October 29, 2021
"What happened in Charlottesville four years ago was a tragedy and one of the darkest moments in our state's recent memories and is an event not to be taken lightly," the McAuliffe statement continued. "For anyone to accuse our staff to have a role in this event is shameful and wrong."
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