The stark contrast created an unparalleled sense of irony.
A chain reaction began to unfold with unstoppable momentum.
Alex Cortes's campaign team was thrown into devastating chaos.
They initially tried to run damage control.
His campaign manager issued an emergency statement, claiming the paper was merely "an immature academic exploration" from Mr. Cortes's college days and did not represent his current political position.
But this feeble defense seemed utterly ridiculous in the face of the video evidence of him "blatantly lying."
His supporters, especially the idealistic young people drawn to his "purity" and "sincerity," felt deceived and betrayed.
On social media, the popular hashtags that once supported him had now become a carnival of merciless mockery.
Overnight, his campaign donation page was flooded with thousands of messages demanding refunds.
His approval rating began to plummet at a precipitous rate.
