U.S. Vice President JD Vance has sought to minimize the fallout from revelations that leaders of the Young Republicans exchanged hundreds of racist and sexist messages, including ones referring to rape as “epic” and expressing admiration for Hitler.
Speaking on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, Vance dismissed the leaked messages as “youthful mistakes,” claiming that the individuals involved were much younger than they actually are. Public records show that most of the participants are between 24 and 35 years old only slightly younger than the 41-year-old vice president.
“The reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys,” Vance said. “They tell edgy, offensive jokes. I don’t want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid, offensive joke has their life ruined.”
JD Vance Downplays Young Republicans, first reported by Politico and Mother Jones, came from a private Telegram group that included Young Republican leaders from New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont.
The revelations have drawn bipartisan condemnation. The Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), the GOP’s official youth wing for members aged 18 to 40, called the exchanges “unbecoming of any Republican” and urged those involved to resign.
JD Vance Downplays Young Republicans
JD Vance Downplays Young Republicans, Several Republican officials have also demanded accountability. Vermont governor Phil Scott and legislative leaders called for state senator Sam Douglass, one of the chat participants, to step down. In New York, congresswoman Elise Stefanik said she was “absolutely appalled” and demanded resignations, while Kansas GOP chair Danedri Herbert said the remarks “do not reflect Republican values.”
Democrats have been even more forceful. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the messages “revolting” and urged Republican leaders including Donald Trump and Vance to denounce them “swiftly and unequivocally.” California governor Gavin Newsom wrote to House Oversight Chair James Comer requesting an investigation, calling the texts “vile and offensive” and warning they could foster a “hostile and discriminatory environment.”
New York governor Kathy Hochul said those involved should face immediate consequences. “Kick them out of the party. Take away their official roles. Stop using them as campaign advisers. This has to stop,” Hochul said.
Vance, however, continued to defend the group, accusing Democrats and the media of hypocrisy. He claimed attention to the Young Republicans’ messages distracted from offensive comments made years ago by Virginia Democrat Jay Jones, who has since apologized.
“Grow up,” Vance said. “Focus on real issues, not what kids say in group chats.” JD Vance Downplays Young Republicans’ Racist and Sexist Messages as ‘Stupid Jokes’
Vance, a father of three, added that he warns his own children to avoid posting anything online that could be leaked. “If you put something in a group chat,” he said, “assume someone might use it to harm you or your family.”
