PoliticsNC: “Whatley tried to be something he isn’t and that’s what people hate about politicians.”

The Assembly: “When I asked who his three favorite players are, Whatley replied, ‘You know, I think we like them all.’”

As North Carolina cheers on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup finals and DC insider Michael Whatley gets “skewered by NC fans” for inventing a player in an AI graphic, failing to name a single player, and then leaving Game 2 before the Canes’ epic comeback, the North Carolina Democratic Party delivered a gift to Whatley – a jersey of his favorite Canes player, “All of Them.” 

As Hurricanes fans slam Whatley for being “a phony trying to score political points,” Whatley’s lack of  “authenticity and relatability” is on full display.

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ProgressNC: Michael Whatley’s Latest Hurricane Fail

Matt Schlosser | June 5, 2026

• Michael Whatley, Hurricane Helene Recovery Czar and FEMA Review Council member, has caught a lot of flak over the past year for his failure to deliver for North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
• He continued digging himself into a hole this week, but this time, it was for a different type of hurricane failure– his gaffe around North Carolina’s beloved hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes. 
• But this gaffe was a little different because it was actually a really good illustration of who Whatley is as a leader– he’s all talk, no substance. 

PoliticsNC: Canesgate

Thomas Mills | June 8, 2026

• Whatley tried to be something he isn’t and that’s what people hate about politicians.
• Whatley’s campaign made a stupid error when they posted an AI image of generic hockey players in Carolina Hurricanes uniforms. They were begging for scrutiny and they got appropriately ridiculed. Then Whatley couldn’t name any players on the team when asked his favorites.
• Whatley’s problem is not about hockey or any other sport. It’s about, as Maston says, “relatability and authenticity.” Instead of looking like part of the growing Hurricane fan base, Whatley looks like a phony trying to score political points.
• Cooper’s team didn’t even have to push the narrative. Hurricanes fans and social media did the work for them.

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