Vance Under Fire: VP Downplays Racist & Sexist Texts from Adult Young Republicans as ‘Stupid Jokes’

Vice President JD Vance has ignited controversy by dismissing hundreds of racist and sexist text messages exchanged by leaders within the Young Republican National Federation as mere “youthful indiscretions” and “stupid jokes.” The leaked communications, which included explicit endorsements of racial hatred, references to Hitler, and disturbing remarks about rape, have sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.

Speaking on the Charlie Kirk Show, Vance downplayed the severity of the revelations, suggesting the participants were significantly younger than their actual ages. Many of those involved are reportedly between 24 and 35 years old, barely younger than the 41-year-old Vice President himself.

“The reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys,” Vance stated. “They tell edgy, offensive jokes. That’s what kids do. 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.”

Contents of the Leaked Messages

Politico initially obtained months of exchanges from a Telegram group chat involving leaders and members of the Young Republican National Federation and its state affiliates in New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont. Mother Jones subsequently reported that public records indicate eight of the eleven Republican operatives involved in the offensive chat range in age from 24 to 35. The messages included egregious content such as calling rape “epic” and one individual writing, “I love Hitler.”

Bipartisan Calls for Accountability

The disturbing revelations have led to bipartisan calls for the individuals involved to resign or be removed from their positions. The Young Republican National Federation, the official GOP organization for Republicans aged 18 to 40, itself called for those involved to step down, describing the exchanges as “unbecoming of any Republican.”

Prominent Republicans, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, demanded resignations, stating she was “absolutely appalled” by the comments. Vermont’s Republican legislative leaders and Governor Phil Scott also called for the resignation of State Senator Sam Douglass, a confirmed participant. Danedri Herbert, chair of the Kansas GOP, emphasized that the remarks “do not reflect the beliefs of Republicans.”

Democratic leaders have been even more forceful in their condemnation. California Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter to House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, urging an investigation into the “vile and offensive text messages,” which he deemed a potential violation of civil rights laws. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York described the chat as “revolting” and called on Republicans, including former President Trump and Vance, to “condemn these comments swiftly and unequivocally.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul demanded concrete consequences, stating, “Kick them out of the party. Take away their official roles. Stop using them as campaign advisers. There needs to be consequences. This bullshit has to stop.”

Vance Accuses Media of Distraction

In response to the backlash, Vance scolded Democrats and the media for focusing too much attention on “what a bunch of young people, a bunch of kids, say in a group chat, however offensive.” He suggested the racist texts were a distraction from offensive comments made by Jay Jones, a Democratic candidate for attorney general of Virginia, who had joked about preferring to kill a Republican colleague over Hitler or Pol Pot. Jones has since taken full responsibility and apologized for his remarks.

Vance expressed irritation at those he believes were distracted from the Democrat’s “incredible endorsement of political violence” by the Young Republicans’ chat. “Grow up,” the Vice President admonished, urging people to “focus on the real issues, don’t focus on what kids say in group chats.”

Reflecting on his own youth, Vance noted that the “stupid things” he did as a teenager and young adult were not permanently recorded online. He also shared that he cautions his own children, particularly his sons, to be mindful of what they post online, assuming that “some scumbag is going to leak it in an effort to try to cause you harm or cause your family harm.”