The Lincoln Project claimed credit for organizing a white supremacist stunt in front of Glenn Youngkin’s campaign bus on Friday, but not before several staffers from the opposing campaign used the incident to bash the Republican candidate for Virginia governor.

The anti-Trump and anti-Republican organization said it sent the tiki torch–wielding group to remind Virginia voters of the white-nationalist march that took place in Charlottesville in 2017 and “the Republican party’s embrace of those values, and Glenn Youngkin’s failure to condemn it.”

Despite many conservatives’ immediately questioning the validity of the demonstration, several McAuliffe staffers boosted news of the incident as if it were real, including aide Jen Goodman, who called it “disgusting and disqualifying” for Youngkin.

McAuliffe spokeswoman Christina Freundlich used it as an opportunity to say “this is who Glenn Youngkin’s supporters are.”

Charlie Olaf, McAuliffe’s social-media manager, wrote: “Disgusting reference to the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville.”

MSNBC contributor Glenn Kirschner condemned the “blatant display of racism, hatred and intolerance,” urging Virginians to vote for McAuliffe, who represents a “kind, welcoming, diverse Virginia.”

Democratic strategist Max Burns claimed Youngkin’s campaign “counts white supremacists among its most enthusiastic supporters.”

After the Lincoln Project came forward, Burns said, “Cosplaying as white supremacists is disgraceful, and I can’t imagine a single way this helps Terry McAuliffe or amplifies his positive vision for Virginia.”

McAuliffe’s campaign similarly issued a statement condemning the stunt after the Lincoln Project admitted to orchestrating it.

“What happened today is disgusting and distasteful and we condemn it in the strongest terms. Those involved should immediately apologize,” said campaign manager Chris Bolling.

More from National Review

• Journalists Slam Lincoln Project for Racial Hoax against Youngkin Campaign

• Lincoln Project Claims Credit for Racial Hoax at Youngkin Event

• Youngkin Leads McAuliffe in New Poll of Likely Virginia Voters Less than a Week before Election Day