U.S. Vice President JD Vance has disregarded criticism surrounding a Young Republican group chat that contained racist remarks, jokes about rape, and casual references to gas chambers. Despite bipartisan calls for the removal of those involved, Vance opposed the backlash against the leaked messages.
According to a recent report by Politico, members of The Young Republican National Federation, which is the GOP’s political body for Republicans aged 18 to 40, used derogatory terms like “monkeys” and “the watermelon people” to refer to Black individuals. The chat also featured discussions about sexually assaulting their enemies and placing political adversaries in gas chambers. Politico obtained months of conversations from a Telegram group involving leaders and members of the Young Republican National Federation and its affiliates in New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont, which included offensive messages such as the use of racial slurs and homophobic language.
The federation called for the resignation of those implicated in the chat, condemning the exchanges as not in line with Republican values. In contrast, Vance dismissed the outrage as “pearl clutching,” emphasizing his stance by highlighting a past instance where a Democratic candidate in Virginia implied violence towards a Republican.
While some Republicans urged immediate action, including the resignation of state Sen. Sam Douglass in Vermont and condemnation from various GOP leaders, others like Rep. Elise Stefanik and Danedri Herbert called for accountability and resignations from those involved in the group chat.
Democrats, on the other hand, have expressed widespread disapproval of the content, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom requesting an investigation into the offensive messages and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer labeling the chat as “revolting.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul demanded consequences for the individuals, urging for their removal from official roles within the party and cessation of their advisory roles.
The Young Republican National Federation responded to the revelations by stating their shock at the reported messages and urging those involved to step down from their positions within the organization. The behavior was denounced as disgraceful and contrary to the values of the Republican movement.