This Oct. 14, 2025, Politico released a leaked Telegram group chat filled with thousands of offensive messages from nearly a dozen Young Republicans chapter leaders across the nation, resulting in a whirlwind of scandal and resignations. 

The Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), more often referred to as the Young Republicans (YRs), is the “oldest political youth organization in the United States,” according to their website. 

The group aims to engage and inform members of the Republican Party between the ages of 18 and 40, with its mission statement centered around recruitment, training and electing. 

In October, Politico’s bombshell article, titled “‘I love Hitler’: Leaked Messages Expose Young Republicans’ Racist Chat,” rocked the nation. The article detailed a series of leaked Telegram messages–2,900 pages worth–between a group of Young Republicans members from across the United States, many of them already, or on the path to becoming, leaders of their local chapters. 

Some members even held federal positions, including Sam Douglass, a state senator. The majority of members were from New York, Vermont, Kansas and Arizona. 

Contributors to the group chat included the likes of Peter Guinta, William Hendrix, Luke Mosiman, Sam Douglass and Bobby Walker, among others. One of the most egregious messages was sent by Guinta, who stated plainly, “Great. I love Hitler.” 

Guinta also mentioned sending people who did not vote for him “to the gas chamber,” referencing a then-current bid to become chair of the Young Republican National Federation. Another member, Walker, called the horrendous act of rape “epic.” 

Variations of a slur targeted towards African Americans were used by members numerous times throughout the nearly seven months’ worth of conversations, with many also perpetuating harmful stereotypes toward the minority group. Politico reported that a number of homophobic, racist and ableist slurs were utilized by members over 250 times throughout the lengthy conversations. 

Lawmakers were quick to respond to the issue, including the governors of Vermont and California. Phil Scott, Republican Governor of Vermont, said in a statement that the comments made by those within the group were “disgusting and unacceptable.” 

He went on to clarify that the messages were “deeply disturbing,” Scott also urged those who took part in the offensive messages to “leave the Republican party” and “resign from their roles immediately,” specifically calling out Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass. 

Douglass’ messages, mixed in with the thousands of texts sent between the group, were just as deplorable. According to Politico’s findings, Douglas referred to an Indian woman as someone who “just didn’t bathe often.” 

Governor Gavin Newsom of California also had a lot to say about the Young Republicans group chat. “Calling for gas chambers. Expressing love for Hitler. Endorsing rape. Using racist slurs. This is not a ‘joke,’ and it is not fringe. These are leaders within Republican National Committee-linked groups,” announced the Democratic Newsom. 

In a letter written to James Comer, Committee Chairman, on Oct. 15, 2025, Newsom called for an investigation into the text chat, asserting that the messages exemplify “conduct that can create a hostile and discriminatory environment that violates civil rights laws.” 

In a statement made by the Young Republican National Federation, the organization is “appalled by the vile and inexcusable language revealed in the Politico article,” denouncing the messages as “disgraceful” and “unbecoming.” The YRNF has also called for the resignations of the Telegram group chat members. 

Though the messages seem to have sparked bipartisan outrage, Vice President JD Vance has decided to separate himself from that stance. As a result, Vance is currently facing immense criticism due to comments he made regarding the ill-fated group chat. During an interview with the Charlie Kirk Show on Oct. 15, Vance claimed that the messages were not the actions of adults who needed to be held accountable, and instead just “what kids do.”  

Vance commented, “kids do stupid things, especially young boys. They tell edgy, offensive jokes,” despite it being reported that a majority of the text group members ranged from 24 to mid-thirties in age. There were also women involved, including Annie Kaykaty and Brianna Douglass, wife of Sam Douglass. 

Vance compared his age, 41, to those of the chat, calling himself “an old guy.” Numerous news sites have since called out the Vice President, asserting that this is an attempt to minimize the impact of the heinous messages. 

In the wake of Politico’s article, several members have resigned, and some chapters have even been deactivated entirely upon disbandment. 

Members of the public have also been weighing in on the massive controversy. One TikTok user commented, “This used to be career-ending… I bet they’ll get an invitation to the White House.” Another said, “The verbiage used by the young GOP is utterly offensive and revolting.” 

Politico’s release of the Young Republicans group chat continues to generate shock and disapproval on a majority of both sides of the aisle, a sentiment that does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.