03/16/2026
Leaked Telegram messages from a group chat titled "RESTOREYR WAR ROOM" exposed several Young Republican leaders from New York, Arizona, Kansas, and Vermont engaging in a seven-month tirade of racist, antisemitic, pro-Nazi, and violent rhetoric. The chat, involving individuals aged 18–40, contained over 250 instances of slurs, jokes about gas chambers, r**e, and slavery, prompting widespread condemnation, resignations, and the disbanding of the Kansas Young Republicans chapter.
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Key details of the scandal reported in October 2025:
Participants & Content: The chat included members of the Young Republican National Federation, including leaders from various state chapters. Messages included "I'm ready to watch people burn," "Great i love Hi**er," and referring to Black people as "monkeys" and "watermelon people".
Key Figures: Peter Giunta, former chair of the New York State Young Republicans, allegedly wrote, "Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber". William Hendrix, Kansas Young Republicans' vice chair, reportedly used the n-word over a dozen times. Vermont State Senator Samuel Douglass was also involved in the discussions.
Fallout & Reactions: At least four individuals lost their jobs, including an aide to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. The Kansas Young Republicans chapter was disbanded, and the national board of the Young Republicans called for the resignations of those involved