Leaked messages from a private Telegram chat group involving Young Republican leaders have exposed rampant racism, antisemitism, misogyny, and violent rhetoric, raising serious concerns about the organisation’s internal culture.
The chat group, named “RESTOREYR WAR ROOM,” included members from New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont chapters.
The 2,900 pages of messages, exchanged between January and August this year, show disturbing language including praise for Adolf Hitler, racial slurs against Black and Jewish people, and threats of violence against political opponents.
What were the chats about?
Peter Giunta, former president of the New York State Young Republicans and creator of the group, was among the most vocal members.
In the messages, Giunta allegedly said, “Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber,” and declared, “Great. I love Hitler.” Following the leak, Giunta was fired from his role as chief of staff to a New York state assemblyman.
Giunta issued a statement apologising for the “inexcusable language” but questioned the authenticity of the messages.
“While I take complete responsibility, I have had no way of verifying their accuracy and am deeply concerned that the message logs in question may have been deceptively doctored,” he said. He also accused those who leaked the messages of extortion.
Other members were also implicated. William Hendrix, vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, reportedly used racial slurs repeatedly, while Bobby Walker, former vice chair of New York Young Republicans, called rape “epic.”
Walker apologised, saying, “There is no excuse for the language and tone in messages attributed to me… The language is wrong and hurtful, and I sincerely apologize.”
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who had endorsed Giunta earlier this year, condemned the comments and called for those responsible to step down immediately.
Stefanik’s senior adviser, Alex deGrasse, said, “Congresswoman Stefanik is absolutely appalled by the allegations and calls for any New York Young Republicans responsible for these horrific comments in this chat to resign immediately.”
‘Shocking brazeness’
Netizens slammed Young Republicans over the text messages. “The reason you have 28,000 messages across the entire Young Republican leadership, with everyone tolerating it or participating in it, is because MAGA, fka the Republican Party, has a culture of fascism, racism, and violence. Shocking brazenness,” wrote a netizen.
“Leaders of Young Republican groups across the country talked about putting opponents in gas chambers, joked about raping their enemies, spread antisemitism and praised Hitler. These are the people who pretend to be offended when called Nazis. Where’s the GOP leadership outrage?,” questioned a user.
“Liars. Liars. Liars. Liars. You’re not fooling a soul. New York covered it too. The racists are busted,” wrote another.
“Leaders of young Republican groups, joking about gas chambers, slavery, and rape in a private telegram chat. The future GOP is being groomed to be as deviant and unethical as the current GOP,’ added another.
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