In leaked texts, Young Republicans praise Hitler, joke about rape, slavery

At least three members of the Young Republicans have either lost their jobs or have had a job offer rescinded following the leak of violent, racist messages from a Telegram group. The messages expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler, joked about rape and slavery and advocated for sending opponents to gas chambers.

The group chat included members of Young Republican organizations across the country, as well as a Vermont state senator. Politico obtained the chats, which took place over the course of seven months.

While the release of the texts has prompted widespread outrage, Vice President JD Vance wrote on social media that he would “refuse to join the pearl clutching” over the content of the messages.

The texts were leaked at a time when both well-known figures and everyday Americans are facing consequences for what is deemed hateful speech. The trend accelerated after the September killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Teachers, firefighters, journalists, military members and others have lost jobs over comments that criticized Kirk or celebrated his death. 

What were the messages?

On Tuesday, Politico reported that nine members of the conservative group were involved in the racist, violent messages. 

The messages referred to Black people as monkeys and “the watermelon people” and talked about sending their political opponents to gas chambers. The group also spoke about raping their enemies and praised Republicans who they believed supported slavery. 

William Hendrix, who was the vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, used variations of racial slurs more than a dozen times, according to Politico. Peter Giunta, who was the chair of the New York Young Republicans, wrote in June that “everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.” Giunta was referring to a vote for state chair, which he later won. 

“Im going to create some of the greatest physiological torture methods known to man,” he also wrote. “We only want true believers.”

Other members of the New York Young Republicans responded, including the former general counsel Joe Maligno and national committee member Annie Kaykaty. 

“Can we fix the showers?” Maligno wrote. “Gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic.”

“I’m ready to watch people burn now,” Kaykaty replied.

Many of the texts also included white supremacist messaging. 

In one message, a person who was staying in a hotel asked the group, “GUESS WHAT ROOM WE’RE IN.” Alex Dwyer, the former chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, replied, “1488.” White supremacists use that number because 14 is the number of words in the white supremacist slogan “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” H is the eighth letter in the alphabet, and white supremacists often use 88 as a shorthand for “Heil Hitler.” 

In another text chain, Dwyer informed Giunta that one of Michigan’s Young Republicans had promised to vote for the most right-wing person to lead the national group. 

“Great,” Giunta said. “I love Hitler.”

Dwyer reacted to that message with a smiley face.

Luke Mosiman, who was the chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, asked if the New Yorkers in the group were watching an NBA playoff game. Giunta responded, saying, “I’d go to the zoo if I wanted to watch monkey play ball.” 

Hendrix made similar racist remarks. “Bro is at a chicken restaurant ordering his food,” he wrote. “Would he like some watermelon and kool aid with that?”

Have there been any consequences?

Since the release of the messages, several members have lost their jobs, but it remains unclear whether they have resigned from their roles in the Young Republicans.

Giunta lost his job working for New York Assemblyman Mike Reilly, according to the Republican state lawmaker. A spokesperson for the New York State Unified Court System said Maligno is no longer an employee.

Vermont State Sen. Sam Douglass has also received calls to resign, including from Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott. Douglass and his wife made racist remarks about Indian people and wrote antisemitic comments. 

Kansas’ Young Republicans shut down after Politico’s story was published. The chairman of the Kansas Republican Party confirmed the immediate deactivation of the group due to the text leak. Hendrix was also fired from a communications job in Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s office.

“The comments in the chat are inexcusable,” Kobach said. “As soon as the office learned of those messages, Will Hendrix’s employment was terminated.”

What has been the reaction?

The majority of the reaction has been bipartisan, with members of Congress from both sides expressing dismay at the messages. The board of directors of the National Young Republicans said every member of the chat must resign from the organization. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the chat “revolting” and “disgusting.” 

However, others have declined to repudiate the comments.

Vice President JD Vance wrote on X Tuesday that recently revealed texts from Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general, were “far worse.” 

On Oct. 3, the National Review reported on a 2022 text thread between Jones and Republican state lawmaker Carrie Coyner, in which Jones said that if he had two bullets and the opportunity to shoot a group of three people –– then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, Hitler or Pol Pot –– he would use both bullets on Gilbert “every time.”

Have those in the messages responded?

Many of the people implicated in the Young Republican message leak have declined to comment. However, both Giunta and Bobby Walker, who was chair of the New York Young Republicans, apologized for the messages but questioned whether someone had altered them. They also blamed the release on the New York Young Republican Club, which is often at odds with the Young Republicans, according to Politico. 

“I am so sorry to those offended by the insensitive and inexcusable language,” Giunta said. “These logs were sourced by way of extortion and provided to POLITICO by the very same people conspiring against me in what appears to be a highly-coordinated year-long character assassination led by Gavin Wax and the New York City Young Republican Club.”

Walker similarly said that there was “no excuse for the language and tone in messages attributed to me” before apologizing. 

“It’s troubling that private exchanges were obtained and released in a way clearly intended to inflict harm,” he said. “The circumstances raise real questions about accuracy and motive but none of that excuses the language. This has been a painful lesson about judgment and trust.”

The post In leaked texts, Young Republicans praise Hitler, joke about rape, slavery appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief