A wave of controversy has swept through the Young Republicans after Politico published leaked messages from a private Telegram chat showing violent, racist, and white supremacist exchanges among state leaders and members of the conservative youth organization. The revelations have led to firings, calls for resignations, and widespread condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum.
Leaked Messages Expose Hate-Filled Rhetoric
The messages, obtained by Politico and verified through multiple sources, were exchanged over a seven-month period among Young Republican leaders from several states. The chat reportedly included explicit racist slurs, praise for Adolf Hitler, and violent fantasies targeting political opponents.
Participants referred to Black people as “monkeys” and “the watermelon people,” joked about rape and slavery, and discussed sending perceived enemies “to the gas chambers.” Others invoked white supremacist symbols, including the number “1488” — a reference to neo-Nazi slogans and coded tributes to Hitler.
In one exchange, Peter Giunta, who served as chair of the New York Young Republicans, wrote, “Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber,” referring to an internal election he later won. Giunta also allegedly wrote, “I’m going to create some of the greatest physiological torture methods known to man. We only want true believers.”
Other figures joined in. William Hendrix, vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, used racial slurs repeatedly, while Joe Maligno, former general counsel of the New York Young Republicans, replied to one message, “Can we fix the showers? Gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic.”
Annie Kaykaty, a national committee member, responded, “I’m ready to watch people burn now.”
Another participant, Alex Dwyer, who chaired the Kansas Young Republicans, replied “1488” when asked about his hotel room number — a number synonymous with white supremacist ideology. In separate messages, Dwyer and Giunta exchanged remarks glorifying Hitler and mocking Black athletes, with Giunta writing, “I’d go to the zoo if I wanted to watch monkeys play ball.”
Immediate Fallout and Job Losses
The release of the messages has had swift consequences for several individuals.
Giunta was terminated from his position with New York Assemblyman Mike Reilly, who confirmed the firing in a public statement. The New York State Unified Court System also confirmed that Joe Maligno is no longer employed there.
In Kansas, William Hendrix was dismissed from his communications role in the office of Attorney General Kris Kobach, who condemned the remarks as “inexcusable.” Kobach said, “As soon as the office learned of those messages, Will Hendrix’s employment was terminated.”
The Kansas Young Republicans announced that the organization was shutting down entirely following publication of the Politico story. The state’s Republican Party chair confirmed that the group’s charter was immediately deactivated.
In Vermont, State Senator Sam Douglass faced calls to resign after he and his wife were implicated in the chat for making racist and antisemitic comments about Indian and Jewish people. Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a fellow Republican, joined those demanding Douglass step down, calling the remarks “an embarrassment to the state.”
Political and Public Reaction
Reaction to the leaked messages was overwhelmingly negative and largely bipartisan. Lawmakers from both parties expressed disgust and disappointment, while the National Young Republicans Board of Directors issued a statement calling for every participant in the chat to resign from the organization.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the messages as “revolting and disgusting,” adding that “anyone who engages in this kind of vile rhetoric should have no place in public service.”
However, not all conservatives joined in the condemnation. Vice President J.D. Vance wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he would “refuse to join the pearl clutching” over the leaked comments, implying that outrage over offensive speech has become politically selective. Vance compared the situation to a recent controversy involving Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general, whose old text messages also surfaced earlier this month.
Apologies, Defensiveness, and Denials
Some individuals named in the leak have apologized while simultaneously questioning the authenticity of the messages and the motives behind their release.
In a statement, Peter Giunta said, “I am so sorry to those offended by the insensitive and inexcusable language.” He also alleged that the leaked logs were “sourced by way of extortion” and provided to Politico as part of a “coordinated character assassination” led by rivals within the conservative movement.
Similarly, Bobby Walker, former chair of the New York Young Republicans, apologized but said he believed the messages had been selectively edited. “It’s troubling that private exchanges were obtained and released in a way clearly intended to inflict harm,” Walker 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.”
Neither Politico nor any of the implicated parties have released the full unedited chat logs, though multiple screenshots have circulated across social media platforms.
A Broader Reckoning Over Speech and Accountability
The controversy arrives at a time when public figures across the political spectrum are facing professional and social consequences for offensive or hateful remarks. The debate over free speech, accountability, and political correctness has become especially charged since the September killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, after which numerous teachers, journalists, and public employees were disciplined or fired for posts celebrating his death.
For many observers, the Young Republicans scandal underscores how easily extremist rhetoric has seeped into mainstream political spaces, particularly online. Critics argue that private chats often reflect broader cultural trends within political movements.
The Future of the Young Republicans
Founded in 1931, the Young Republicans have long served as a training ground for rising conservative leaders. The recent scandal, however, has shaken the organization’s credibility and exposed internal divisions. The national board has pledged to investigate and implement stronger conduct policies for all members.
It remains unclear how many of those implicated in the leaked messages still hold official positions. While some have been removed from their jobs, none have publicly confirmed resignations from their party posts.
