New York Young Republican Chapter Dissolves Amid Scandal Over Racist and Violent Group Chat Messages

The New York Young Republican chapter is facing significant repercussions as a crucial vote has led to the disbandment of the group. This decision follows the public release of a series of racist and antisemitic messages from a private chat group.

In the wake of these revelations, several former leaders have already been dismissed from their positions. Friday’s vote marks an effort to embark on a new beginning for the organization.

This situation presents a challenge for the Republican Party, prompting prominent GOP figures to strongly distance themselves from those implicated in the scandal.

A report by Politico uncovered a group chat on Telegram involving members of the Young Republican National Federation, revealing seven months’ worth of racist, antisemitic, and violent exchanges that had seemingly become ingrained in their culture.

Among the messages, allegedly from Peter Giunta, Chair of the New York State Young Republicans, was a disturbing comment stating, “Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.”

In another exchange about backing a right-wing candidate, he reportedly writes, “Great, I love Hitler.”

On Friday, local Democrats piled on.

“These young Republicans call themselves the future of the party. Well, if they’re the future, the future is pretty dark,” Nassau County Young Democrats President John Burns said.

Earlier this week, Governor Kathy Hochul commented, saying, “This is not one person saying that they love Hitler. This is a whole lot of people saying things that are so disgusting, so abhorrent, that everybody from the president on down should condemn them.”

Earlier in the day, the State GOP Executive Committee voted unanimously to suspend the New York Young Republicans Club, revoking their charter, their voting power on the state committee and the use of the word “Republican” in their name.

“It’s totally unacceptable, it’s deplorable, it’s disgusting. So I think what has to happen is that the individuals who participated have to be moved aside,” Nassau County Republican Chair Joseph Cairo said.

“This is, unfortunately, a case of a small band of immature individuals who do not speak for the Republican Party, and that’s why the Republican party has denounced it with one voice, a large and loud chorus.” Suffolk County Republican Committee Chair Jesse Garcia said.

But not a chorus President Trump or J.D. Vance have joined.

“We’re not canceling kids because they do something stupid in a group chat,” Vance said.

At least eight of the participants were between the ages of 24 and 34.

Their months of messages reportedly included more than 250 slurs.