'Cannot be real': GOP candidate mocked for commemorating the attacks of 'September 1'

Republican North Carolina Senate candidate Michael Whatley landed himself in the doghouse on Friday by commemorating the September 11 attacks with a very unfortunate, mishandled graphic.

Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, took to X to post "September 11th showed us the very worst of evil and the very best of America. 25 years later, we remember the lives taken, the first responders who rushed into danger, and a nation that came together in the face of tragedy. God bless America." However, the graphic accompanying this post said, "WE WILL NEVER FORGET SEPTEMBER 1, 2001."

After a short period, Whatley took down the post and issued a corrected one — but not before commentators on social media got their hands on the original.

"Couldn't even be bothered to get the date right, shameful," wrote the account for the Democratic-linked Senate Majority PAC.

"Bang up work from the @WhatleyNC campaign!" wrote journalist Aaron Rupar.

"Great work everyone," wrote political analyst Molly Jong-Fast.

"This cannot be a real campaign," wrote commentator Isaiah Walker.