Shocking revelations from a private Telegram chat have led to the dissolution of the New York Young Republicans chapter by the state's Republican leadership.
According to News Nation, in a unanimous vote on Friday, October 17, 2025, the New York Republican State Committee disbanded the Empire State’s Young Republicans chapter after screenshots of antisemitic and racist language in a group chat surfaced, sparking widespread condemnation.
The controversy began when Politico reported on a Telegram chat involving Young Republican leaders from multiple states, including New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont. The chat contained offensive messages, with one attributed to Peter Giunta, chief of staff for New York Assembly Member Michael O’Reilly, allegedly stating, “I love Hitler.” Giunta is said to have created the chat while campaigning to become the chair of the New York Young Republicans.
The exposure of these messages prompted immediate backlash from party officials and the public alike. New York GOP Chair Ed Cox condemned the language in a statement on October 17, 2025, saying, “The Young Republicans was already grossly mismanaged, and vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations.” The decision to disband the chapter was made swiftly following the report, reflecting the severity of the content shared.
Other prominent figures also weighed in on the issue, expressing dismay over the revelations. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressed the matter during a press conference on Thursday, October 16, 2025, stating, “Obviously, that is not the principles of the Republican Party. We stand for the founding principles of America.” He further elaborated, saying, “You want me to articulate them for you right now? Individual freedom, limited government, rule of law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, human dignity, the things that lead to human flourishing.”
Among the participants identified in the chat was Vermont state Sen. Samuel Douglass, a Republican, whose involvement drew sharp criticism. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, also a Republican, publicly called on Douglass to resign due to his participation in the controversial group. The incident has raised questions about the oversight of young political groups and their alignment with party values.
In New York, the scandal touched on ties to Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican, though she was not directly linked to the chat or its members as an employee in her office.
Earlier, in August 2025, Stefanik had praised Peter Giunta as showing “tremendous leadership” during an event where he presented her with the Congresswoman of the Year Award from the New York Young Republicans. She also posted on X that month, stating, “We need a new generation of leadership and the YRs will be a critical part of our mission to Save NY!”
Alex Degrasse, a senior adviser to Stefanik, stated to ABC News, demanding accountability. Degrasse said, “Calls for any NY Young Republicans responsible for these horrific comments in this chat to step down immediately.” The statement underscored the urgency felt by many within the party to distance themselves from the offending remarks.
The incident has not only affected New York but also cast a shadow over Young Republican chapters in other states involved in the chat. Leaders across the political spectrum are grappling with how to address the behavior of younger members in such groups. The disbandment serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked online discourse.
Vice President Vance offered a different perspective, suggesting leniency for youthful indiscretions. He remarked, “We’re not canceling kids because they do something stupid in a group chat.” Vance added, “The reality is that kids do stupid things. Especially young boys, they tell edgy, offensive jokes. Like, that’s what kids do.”
Continuing his point, Vance expressed concern over harsh repercussions, saying, “And I really don’t want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke — telling a very offensive, stupid joke — is cause to ruin their lives.” His comments have sparked debate about where to draw the line between accountability and forgiveness in political spheres. The contrasting views highlight the complexity of addressing such issues within party ranks.
The dissolution of the New York Young Republicans chapter raises broader questions about the future of youth engagement in politics. Many are concerned that incidents like this could deter young individuals from participating in political organizations. Party leaders may need to implement stricter guidelines to prevent similar controversies moving forward.
As the Republican Party navigates this fallout, rebuilding trust with the public remains a priority. The unanimous vote to disband the chapter signals a firm stance against hate speech within its affiliated groups. However, the long-term impact on the party’s image and youth outreach efforts is yet to be seen.