The Young Republican National Federation (YNRF) has demanded “immediate resignations” after a report revealed a leaked group chat in which members engaged in racist, anti-Semitic discussions and condoned violence.
"We are appalled by the vile and inexcusable language revealed today. Such behaviour is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents. Those involved must immediately resign from all positions within their state and local Young Republican organizations. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism," its board of directors said in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
The chats, worth nearly 3,000 pages, were uncovered by Politico. The messages spanned for more than seven months and were part of a chat among Young Republican leaders in New York, Kansas, Arizona and Vermont.
YRNF is a political youth organisation of Republican Party members who are in the age group of 18-40.
The leaked chats
Members were participants in a Telegram chat group titled “RESTOREYR WAR ROOM”. They spoke about Donald Trump "burning the Jeffrey Epstein files," used racist language for Black people, and called them the "watermelon people" - a stereotype that originated in the southern United States. They also discussed placing political rivals in gas chambers and sexually assaulting adversaries, describing rape as "epic."
"Great. I love Hitler," one of the persons said during a chat.
The chat participants
One of the participants is Vermont Senator Samuel Douglass, who is now facing calls to resign. Other members involved include individuals who hold -or have previously held - senior positions such as chair and vice chair of their state’s Young Republicans unit.
While most declined to respond or refused to comment, a few did reply publicly.
“These logs were sourced by way of extortion and provided to by the very same people conspiring against me. What’s most disheartening is that, despite my unwavering support of President Trump since 2016, rouge members of his administration — including Gavin Wax — have participated in this conspiracy to ruin me publicly simply because I challenged them privately," Peter Giunta, a former chair of the New York Young Republicans, alleged. Wax is a rival and a staffer in the Trump administration's State Department.
Giunta still apologised: "I am so sorry to those offended by the insensitive and inexcusable language. 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."
Bobby Walker, the vice chair of the New York State Young Republicans at the time, and the one who referred to rape as "epic," also apologised: "There is no excuse for the language and tone in messages attributed to me. The language is wrong and hurtful, and I sincerely apologise. This has been a painful lesson about judgment and trust, and I am committed to moving forward with greater care, respect, and accountability in everything I say and do."
White House responds
White House spokesperson Liz Huston dismissed the idea that Trump had anything to do with the group's language.
"Only an activist, left-wing reporter would desperately try to tie President Trump into a story about a random group chat he has no affiliation with. No one has been subjected to more vicious rhetoric and violence than President Trump and his supporters."
"We are appalled by the vile and inexcusable language revealed today. Such behaviour is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents. Those involved must immediately resign from all positions within their state and local Young Republican organizations. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism," its board of directors said in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
The chats, worth nearly 3,000 pages, were uncovered by Politico. The messages spanned for more than seven months and were part of a chat among Young Republican leaders in New York, Kansas, Arizona and Vermont.
YRNF is a political youth organisation of Republican Party members who are in the age group of 18-40.
The leaked chats
Members were participants in a Telegram chat group titled “RESTOREYR WAR ROOM”. They spoke about Donald Trump "burning the Jeffrey Epstein files," used racist language for Black people, and called them the "watermelon people" - a stereotype that originated in the southern United States. They also discussed placing political rivals in gas chambers and sexually assaulting adversaries, describing rape as "epic."
"Great. I love Hitler," one of the persons said during a chat.
The chat participants
One of the participants is Vermont Senator Samuel Douglass, who is now facing calls to resign. Other members involved include individuals who hold -or have previously held - senior positions such as chair and vice chair of their state’s Young Republicans unit.
While most declined to respond or refused to comment, a few did reply publicly.
“These logs were sourced by way of extortion and provided to by the very same people conspiring against me. What’s most disheartening is that, despite my unwavering support of President Trump since 2016, rouge members of his administration — including Gavin Wax — have participated in this conspiracy to ruin me publicly simply because I challenged them privately," Peter Giunta, a former chair of the New York Young Republicans, alleged. Wax is a rival and a staffer in the Trump administration's State Department.
Giunta still apologised: "I am so sorry to those offended by the insensitive and inexcusable language. 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."
Bobby Walker, the vice chair of the New York State Young Republicans at the time, and the one who referred to rape as "epic," also apologised: "There is no excuse for the language and tone in messages attributed to me. The language is wrong and hurtful, and I sincerely apologise. This has been a painful lesson about judgment and trust, and I am committed to moving forward with greater care, respect, and accountability in everything I say and do."
White House responds
White House spokesperson Liz Huston dismissed the idea that Trump had anything to do with the group's language.
"Only an activist, left-wing reporter would desperately try to tie President Trump into a story about a random group chat he has no affiliation with. No one has been subjected to more vicious rhetoric and violence than President Trump and his supporters."
You may also like
'Most affected' left-wing-hit districts down to just 3 from 7 in 6 mths: MHA
Meghan Markle's Netflix bombshell puts serious spin on 'downgrade'
'Gutted' Tameka Empson breaks silence after Celebrity Traitors banishment
Jon Rahm's staggering LIV Golf earnings compared to Rory McIlroy prize money
Pandemic fears soar as huge country battles massive outbreak ahead of winter
