‘Jacksandrei Blakenekov’: Pro-Hurricanes post by US Senate candidate skewered by NC fans over AI use

Democrats and some Carolina Hurricanes fans are criticizing Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley for a social media message cheering on Raleigh’s NHL team. They’re accusing him of being a fair-weather fan and using artificial intelligence to create images of a fake player. 

Ahead of the team’s Game 1 Stanley Cup Final loss to the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, a post appeared on a Whatley social media account, saying: “Let’s go, Canes!” The message, posted on his X account, featured emojis of a hockey stick and an American flag. 

Let’s go, Canes!