JD Vance Defends Young Republicans After Chat Filled With Racist Slurs, Hitler Praise, and Rape Jokes — Even Though They’re Adults, Not Kids [Video]

A shocking leak from the Young Republican National Federation is shaking up the political world. Nearly 2,900 pages of Telegram messages show some members of the GOP’s so-called “next generation” using racist slurs, making rape jokes, mocking the Holocaust, and praising Hitler.

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The messages included “I love Hitler,” gas chamber jokes, and racial slurs toward Black and Jewish people. Others called rape “epic” and made violent comments about political opponents.

These weren’t teenagers on the internet. Most of the people behind the messages are adults in their mid-20s to mid-30s with leadership positions in state Republican chapters.

Here’s who’s been identified so far:

• Samuel Douglass (27), a Vermont State Senator and head of the Vermont Young Republicans, allegedly participated in the chat. After the leak, Vermont GOP leaders, including Gov. Phil Scott, called for his resignation.
• Peter Giunta, former chair of the New York Young Republicans, was linked to messages referencing gas chambers and Hitler.
• Bobby Walker, vice chair of the New York Young Republicans, allegedly joked about rape being “epic.”
• William Hendrix, from the Kansas Young Republicans, reportedly used the n-word several times. His state chapter has since been suspended.

The leak showed a pattern of hate speech and violent rhetoric, not one-off “jokes.” The participants were educated adults, many holding political power.

When asked about the scandal, JD Vance refused to condemn the comments. Instead, he brushed it off, saying, “kids do stupid things, especially young boys.”

Vance argued that while the messages were offensive, people shouldn’t lose their careers over “edgy jokes.” He even shifted attention to a Democratic candidate, Jay Jones, saying Jones’ comments were “1,000 times worse.”

The problem is, none of these men are “kids.” They’re grown professionals in their late 20s and 30s, working inside the GOP infrastructure. Vance’s comments ignored that and sent a clear message: hate speech within his own base won’t be harshly punished.

Even as state party officials condemned the chat and demanded resignations, Vance’s refusal to call it out has raised questions about the kind of leadership he’s offering and what message it sends to young conservatives watching.