A cluster of leaked Telegram messages has revealed a disturbing side of Young Republicans.The chats exposed racist, antisemitic, and violent exchanges among several state-level leaders who frequently invoked Nazi references, racial slurs, and threats to political rivals.The chats were obtained by POLITICO and span more than seven months and involve leaders from Young Republican groups across New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont.Over 2,900 pages of messages were reviewed, containing more than 28,000 posts filled with slurs such as “fa—t,” “re—-d,” and “n–ga,” which appeared more than 250 times in total.

N-words, rape jokes, and whatnot

In the group, named “RESTOREYR WAR ROOM,” members frequently used racial slurs, glorified violence, and joked about Nazi gas chambers. Peter Giunta, then chair of the New York State Young Republicans, was among the most vocal ones, sending messages such as “I love Hitler” and “everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.”Another member, Kansas Young Republicans’ vice chair William Hendrix, repeatedly used racial slurs like “n–ga” and “n–guh,” while Bobby Walker, the New York State Young Republicans’ vice chair at the time, referred to rape as “epic.”The chat often made fun of minorities. In one exchange, Giunta dismissed Black athletes by saying, “I’d go to the zoo if I wanted to watch monkey play ball.” He also called Black people “the watermelon people.” In another instance, Hendrix joked about “watermelon and kool aid.”The chat also included a message from Alex Dwyer, Kansas Young Republicans chair, claiming that “Missouri doesn’t like f–s,” and making light of Nazi imagery.The group frequently invoked white supremacist symbols. Dwyer once replied “1488” when asked to guess a hotel room number — a code widely used by neo-Nazis that refers to “14 words” and “Heil Hitler.”

How did the accused react?

After POLITICO began making inquiries, several members faced repercussions. Hendrix was removed from his role in Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s office, while another member had a job offer rescinded.Giunta later apologised, saying, “I am so sorry to those offended by the insensitive and inexcusable language found within the more than 28,000 messages of a private group chat that I created during my campaign to lead the Young Republicans.” He also claimed the chats might have been “deceptively doctored.”Walker, now the chair of the New York State Young Republicans, also issued an apology, saying, “There is no excuse for the language and tone in messages attributed to me. The language is wrong and hurtful, and I sincerely apologise.”

What role does Trump play here?

The chat’s members often discussed Trump’s influence as the MAGA chief. “Trumps too busy burning the Epstein files,” Dwyer wrote, referencing the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.Surprisingly, some members appeared aware of the potential fallout. “If we ever had a leak of this chat we would be cooked fr fr,” Walker wrote in one message.Their fears have now come true. The revelations have triggered outrage across the GOP, with calls for resignations and disciplinary action.