When Bobby Walker, vice chair of New York State Young Republicans called rape “epic” in a private group chat, the revelation set off a bipartisan firestorm on October 16, 2025. The chat, belonging to the Young Republican National Federation, spanned seven months and featured explicit racist slurs, Holocaust‑referencing jokes, and talk of "gas chambers" aimed at political opponents. The leak, first reported by PIX11 News and corroborated by Anadolu Agency, forced swift calls for resignations and at least one confirmed firing.
Background: The Young Republican National Federation
The Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) is the official youth arm of the Republican National Committee, founded in 1911 and now boasting roughly 50,000 members aged 18‑40 across all 50 states. Its state chapters—like the New York State Young Republicans—run local events, recruit volunteers, and serve as a pipeline for future party leaders. Historically, the organization has weathered occasional controversies, but none have combined racial epithets, Holocaust imagery, and sexual violence glorification in the same internal communications.
Leak Details: What the Messages Revealed
Politico obtained the raw chat logs in early October 2025 after a whistle‑blower within the group forwarded them to the outlet. The logs contain thousands of text messages exchanged between leaders in New York, California, Texas, and Florida. Among the most shocking excerpts:
- "Rape is epic" – attributed to Bobby Walker.
- "We should put them in the 2025 United States General Election and watch the gas chambers work" – a collective sentiment from multiple participants.
- Repeated use of the N‑word, “monkeys,” and “watermelon people” when referring to Black Americans.
- "Gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic," a chilling joke that mocked Holocaust victims.
Immediate Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers condemned the content, demanding that anyone involved be removed from leadership positions. New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement calling the language "abhorrent" and urging the Republican National Committee to conduct an independent investigation.
Within hours, the one‑time president of the New York State Young Republicans was terminated, though the individual’s name has not been released. Peter Giunta, former chair of the New York chapter, faced intense scrutiny; while no direct quotes were linked to him, his position during the period made him a focal point of the inquiry.
National GOP leaders, including RNC chairperson Harold McCormick, promised "zero tolerance" for hate speech, but critics argue that the response has been too little, too late.
Impact on the 2025 Election Cycle
The timing could not be worse for Republicans. The scandal broke just weeks before the 2025 United States General Election, a race already fraught with intra‑party battles over the direction of the GOP. Voter polls in swing states like New York and Florida showed a slight dip in confidence among younger Republican voters after the leak.
Political analysts at Brookings Institution warn that the episode could energize Democratic turnout, especially among minority communities who feel directly targeted by the language. "When a youth wing of a major party openly traffics in Nazi‑style rhetoric, it galvanizes opposition," said Dr. Lila Ahmed, a senior fellow.
Calls for Reform and Oversight
In the wake of the scandal, several advocacy groups have demanded mandatory diversity and anti‑hate training for all YRNF state chapters. The Southern Poverty Law Center proposed that the RNC appoint an independent auditor to review internal communications across all youth organizations.
Some Republican insiders argue that the leak reflects a broader cultural shift within the party’s grassroots, pushing for a "reset" that emphasizes civility and broader appeal. Others, however, view the backlash as an over‑reaction to a small group of extremists.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?
Legal experts say that while the messages themselves may not be criminal, they could trigger civil lawsuits if victims decide to sue for defamation or harassment. At the same time, the RNC is reportedly drafting new bylaws that would give the national committee veto power over state chapter leadership appointments.
For now, the Young Republican National Federation is in crisis mode, scrambling to contain the fallout while the nation watches. Whether the organization can pull itself together before November remains to be seen, but the incident has already left a permanent scar on its 114‑year legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did Bobby Walker say about rape?
In the leaked group chat, Walker wrote, "Rape is epic," a comment that sparked immediate outrage and was cited by both Democratic and Republican leaders as evidence of extremist attitudes within the youth wing.
How many states were involved in the chat?
The messages came from members in at least four states: New York, California, Texas, and Florida, according to the PIX11 News report.
Has anyone been fired or forced to resign?
Yes. The one‑time president of the New York State Young Republicans was terminated on October 16, 2025. Several other leaders have been urged to step down, though formal resignations are still pending.
What impact could this have on the 2025 general election?
Polls indicate a modest dip in support for Republican candidates among younger voters in swing states. The scandal may also energize Democratic turnout, especially among minority groups targeted by the hateful language.
What reforms are being proposed?
Advocates are calling for mandatory anti‑hate training, an independent auditor for youth chapters, and new RNC bylaws that would give the national committee oversight over state leadership appointments.
