The Next Generation of GOP Politicians Are Outing Themselves as White Supremacists

"They referred to Black people as monkeys and the watermelon people and mused about putting their political opponents in gas chambers. They talked about raping their enemies and driving them to suicide and lauded Republicans who they believed support slavery. Together, the messages reveal a culture where racist, antisemitic and violent rhetoric circulate freelyand where the Trump-era loosening of political norms has made such talk feel less taboo among those positioning themselves as the party's next leaders."

"The more the political atmosphere is open and liberatinglike it has been with the emergence of Trump and a more right wing GOP even before himit opens up young people and older people to telling racist jokes, making racist commentaries in private and public. He's also concerned the words would be applied to public policy. It's chilling, of course, because they will act on these views."

Leaders of Young Republican groups exchanged racist, antisemitic and violent messages on Telegram, using racial slurs, mocking Black people and suggesting gas chambers. Messages praised rape, encouraged driving opponents to suicide, and lauded Republicans believed to support slavery. The communications reflect a culture in which hateful and violent rhetoric circulates openly and where norms loosened during the Trump era make such speech feel less taboo. Observers warn that these attitudes could translate into public policy and that individuals expressing these views may seek or attain public office or positions involving law enforcement.

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