Photo: The Image Bank Unreleased
A leaked private Telegram chat between Young Republican leaders from several states have exposed a myriad of racist, antisemitic, and violent messages, sparking widespread backlash.
The messages, obtained by POLITICO, span 2,900 pages over seven months and include leaders from New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont, many of whom hold or have held positions within the Republican Party or government.
Peter Giunta, then-chair of the New York State Young Republicans, frequently made racist remarks, referring to Black people as “the watermelon people.” During an NBA game, Giunta wrote: “I’d go to the zoo if I wanted to watch monkey play ball.”
William Hendrix, vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, used the n-word more than a dozen times. In one exchange, Hendrix commented about a Black person ordering at a restaurant, saying, “Would he like some watermelon and Kool-Aid with that?”
Alex Dwyer, chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, responded “Great. I love Hitler,” after a fellow member said Michigan’s delegation would support “the most right-wing person.”
The leaked chat also included messages joking about gas chambers.
“Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber,” Giunta wrote in June. “We only want true believers.”
Joe Maligno, previously the New York State Young Republicans’ general counsel, replied, “Can we fix the showers? Gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic.”
Annie Kaykaty, New York’s national committee member, added: “I’m ready to watch people burn now.”
At least one participant in the chat, Michael Bartels, currently works in the Trump administration, though he didn't post offensive content himself.
After inquiries began, Hendrix was fired from his role in the Kansas Attorney General’s office, and Bobby Walker, now chair of the New York State Young Republicans, lost a planned campaign role. Both have issued apologies over the messages.
New York GOP Chair Ed Cox called the remarks “shocking and disgusting.”
“If the description by POLITICO is accurate, Congresswoman Stefanik calls for any NY Young Republicans responsible… to step down immediately," Rep. Elise Stefanik said in a statement.
Despite the backlash, Giunta maintains the messages may have been “doctored.” More Young Republicans involved in the messages include Luke Mosiman, who called for the rape of an opponent, Samuel Douglass, who made offensive remarks about Indians, and Brianna Douglass, whose comments included stereotypes about Jewish people not being "honest."
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