NY Young Republicans Caught in Racist Telegram Chat Scandal

When Peter Giunta, former chief of staff to Mike Reilly and ex‑president of the New York State Young Republicans, was linked to a 2,900‑page Telegram conversation laced with Nazi jokes and slurs, the revelation ignited a firestorm across the GOP. The leak, published by POLITICO on October 14, 2025, detailed seven months of hateful chatter that spanned multiple state chapters, prompting resignations, firings, and an unprecedented public reckoning.

• 2,900 pages of messages from Jan 2025–Aug 2025
• Participants from at least eight state Young Republican groups
• Key figures: Giunta, Joe Maligno, Annie Kaykaty
• Immediate actions: dismissals, calls for resignations, disbanding of Kansas chapter
• Broader impact: renewed debate over extremist rhetoric in American politics

Background: The Young Republican Network

The Young Republican movement, officially limited to members under 40, functions as a pipeline for future party leaders. State chapters operate semi‑autonomously, yet they share a national umbrella – the Young Republican National Federation – which coordinates conventions, training, and fundraising.

In recent years, the federation has emphasized “modernizing” the brand, courting social‑media‑savvy volunteers and courting voters in swing districts. However, internal culture assessments in 2023 hinted at a lingering “old‑guard” mentality that sometimes tolerated coarse language.

Details of the Telegram Leak

The scandal unfolded around an informal Telegram group chat that members used to share memes, strategy tips, and, alarmingly, extremist banter. Telegram chat scandal disclosureNew York revealed 28,000 offensive messages, many of which referenced gas chambers, Hitler’s “aesthetic,” and racial slurs like the N‑word.

One particularly egregious exchange showed Giunta typing, “everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber,” to which Joe Maligno replied, “Gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic.” Another participant, Annie Kaykaty, wrote, “I’m ready to watch people burn now.” These messages were just a slice of a broader tapestry of dehumanizing language—including references to Black people as “monkeys,” jokes about slavery, and graphic descriptions of concentration‑camp showers.

Although the chat’s participants claimed it was “private” and “joking,” the sheer volume and severity of the content made it clear the rhetoric crossed a line from crude banter to overt hate.

Political Fallout and Resignations

Within hours of the POLITICO report, Mike Reilly issued a terse statement: “Peter Giunta’s time as my chief of staff has ended.” The New York State Assembly quickly formalized Giunta’s removal.

On October 15, Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler, and Robert Ortt demanded that every chat participant resign from public‑service or party posts. The Young Republican National Federation echoed the sentiment on X, calling the language “vile, inexcusable, and unbecoming of any Republican.”

In Kansas, the Kansas Republican Party announced the deactivation of its Young Republicans chapter after leader William Hendrix faced similar accusations. Hendrix had already lost his job with Attorney General Kris Kobach weeks earlier.

Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott and GOP lawmakers urged state Senator Sam Douglass to step down, while Joe Maligno was dismissed from his role in the New York State Unified Court System.

Reactions from Party Leadership

Nationally, the Republican establishment struggled to formulate a unified response. While some senior figures labeled the incident an “isolated lapse,” others—most notably the Young Republican National Federation—called for a thorough audit of all state chapters.

Political analysts note that the swift, cross‑state condemnations reflect a growing awareness that extremist rhetoric can damage electoral prospects, especially in swing districts where moderate voters remain crucial.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Beyond the moral outrage, the leak raised questions about possible violations of state anti‑harassment statutes. Although private messaging platforms enjoy limited oversight, evidence that public officials participated in hate speech could trigger investigations by civil‑rights authorities.

Law schools in New York and Kansas have already announced moot‑court competitions focusing on the legal boundaries of private political communication, illustrating how the scandal may influence future jurisprudence.

Looking Ahead: Reform or Rebrand?

In the weeks that follow, the Young Republican National Federation pledges to implement mandatory anti‑bias training for all members and to establish a centralized monitoring system for digital communications. Whether these measures will curb the “coarsening rhetoric” noted by scholars remains to be seen.

What is clear is that the scandal has forced the party to confront a uncomfortable truth: the next generation of GOP leaders is still wrestling with the legacy of extremist ideology. How they respond could shape the party’s image for years to come.