On October 16, 2025, an explosive Politico investigation exposed more than 28,000 hateful messages exchanged over a seven‑month span in a private Telegram group run by leaders of the New York Young Republicans. The archive, which included explicit references to Adolf Hitler, Holocaust gas chambers and a slew of racial slurs, sent shockwaves through the state GOP and ignited immediate calls for resignations from top Republican officials.
According to ABC News and NBC News, the group chat was created by Giunta, a rising figure within the New York Young Republicans, during his campaign to become chapter chair. In one of the released excerpts, Giunta wrote, “I love Hitler,” and later joked about gas chambers – language that the investigation labeled as unmistakably antisemitic and violent.
Background of the New York Young Republicans
The New York Young Republicans serve as the state chapter of the Young Republican National Federation, the official youth arm of the Republican Party of the United States. While the federation’s national headquarters sit in Alexandria, Virginia, the New York chapter operates out of an undisclosed office in the state, coordinating campus events, voter outreach and leadership training for members aged 18‑40.
Historically, the organization has prided itself on grooming future party leaders. That reputation made the Telegram scandal all the more jarring, as the leaked messages were sent by individuals who held or aspired to key leadership roles within the chapter.
What the Telegram leak uncovered
The investigative team obtained the full chat log spanning roughly seven months, from early March to early October 2025. In total, the archive contained over 28,000 messages – a volume that underscores how the extremist rhetoric was not an isolated slip but a persistent undercurrent.
- More than 1,200 messages directly referenced Adolf Hitler or Nazi symbols.
- At least 300 posts joked about Holocaust gas chambers.
- Racial slurs targeting Black, Asian and Latino communities appeared in dozens of entries.
- Several participants shared memes that glorified white supremacy.
Giunta, who authored the group’s initial invite, defended himself by claiming the logs might have been “deceptively doctored,” yet he also accepted “full responsibility” for the content. His statement to Politico read, “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.”
Republican leaders demand resignations
The leak prompted swift condemnation from senior Republicans. Mike Lawler, U.S. Representative for New York’s 17th congressional district took to X on the same day, declaring that any NY Young Republicans who participated in the chat “should resign from any leadership position immediately.”
Similarly, Elise Stefanik, U.S. Representative for New York’s 21st district issued a statement through senior adviser Alex deGrasse. DeGrasse told ABC News Stefanik was “absolutely appalled” by the revelations, labeling the rhetoric “heinous, antisemitic, racist and unacceptable.” He added that while none of the chat participants were employed by her office, “if the description by Politico is accurate, Congresswoman Stefanik calls for any NY Young Republicans responsible for these horrific comments in this chat to step down immediately.”
Notably, Stefanik had publicly praised Giunta just weeks earlier, describing his leadership as “tremendous” during the summer of 2025. The sudden reversal highlights a growing tension within the party over how to address extremist elements.
Potential fallout and party response
The scandal arrives amid a broader national reckoning with antisemitism and racial hate in American politics. 2025 has already seen a surge in reported hate incidents, prompting Congress to consider tighter hate‑crime legislation. Within that climate, the Telegram leak places the New York GOP under a microscope.
While the Young Republican National Federation has not issued an official comment, the organization’s bylaws allow chapters to remove elected officers for “conduct unbecoming of a member.” If New York chapter leaders resign—or are expelled—the incident could trigger a leadership vacuum that rivals may seek to fill, potentially reshaping the state’s youth‑conservative pipeline.
Legal experts note that, absent criminal conduct, the primary repercussions are likely to be political: loss of credibility, donor withdrawals and possible bans from campus venues that have adopted zero‑tolerance policies for hate speech.
What comes next for the organization
All eyes are on the New York Young Republicans’ board to see whether they will convene an emergency meeting to address the fallout. Sources close to the chapter say a special election could be called within the next two weeks, allowing members to replace those implicated.
Meanwhile, the broader Republican establishment faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, the party’s base remains fiercely loyal to its younger activists; on the other, national leaders are eager to distance themselves from any association with extremist rhetoric ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Whether the scandal will become a footnote or a catalyst for deeper reforms within the GOP’s youth structures remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the Telegram leak has forced a public conversation about accountability, the limits of private chatter, and the responsibility of party leaders to root out hate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this scandal affect the New York Young Republicans?
The chapter faces immediate pressure to remove leaders tied to the hateful Telegram messages. A loss of credibility could deter donors, limit campus access and force a rapid leadership overhaul, potentially reshaping its future direction.
What prompted Representatives Lawler and Stefanik to call for resignations?
Both lawmakers cited the explicit racist and antisemitic content—as highlighted in the Politico report—as unacceptable for any party representative. Their statements aim to distance mainstream GOP leadership from extremist rhetoric ahead of upcoming elections.
Is there any indication of legal action stemming from the Telegram messages?
So far, no criminal charges have been filed. Experts say the content, while hateful, does not automatically meet legal thresholds for prosecution, leaving the fallout largely in the political arena.
Will the Young Republican National Federation intervene?
The national body has not commented publicly yet, but its bylaws grant it authority to sanction state chapters. Observers expect a statement once the New York chapter finalizes its internal response.
What timeline can we expect for leadership changes?
Sources indicate an emergency meeting could be called within two weeks, with a special election potentially held shortly thereafter. Resignations may occur immediately, but formal replacements will depend on the chapter’s voting process.