House Speaker Mike Johnson Condemns Racist, Antisemitic Young Republicans Group Chat in Fiery Presser
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) swiftly distanced himself and the Republican Party from a leaked Telegram group chat involving Young Republicans leaders, calling the racist, homophobic, and antisemitic messages “nonsense” that the GOP “roundly condemns.” The controversy erupted Thursday after Politico reported on the chat, where members allegedly shared Hitler praise, Nazi jokes, slurs against Black people and Jewish individuals, and even an image of an American flag with a swastika.
In a tense Capitol Hill press conference captured on video, Johnson addressed reporters head-on, emphasizing the party’s core values while slamming the perpetrators. “No, look, obviously we roundly condemn any of that nonsense,” he said, his voice firm against a backdrop of American and Louisiana flags. He added, “I don’t know who any of these people are. I never heard of them or the organization, whoever that is.”
The speaker also tackled a viral photo circulating online, showing him near some chat participants at President Trump’s January inauguration. “Somebody posted a photo of me standing next to these guys,” Johnson explained. “I think it was at the inauguration and asking for selfies and people were just coming up with the thousands of them.” He stressed it was a fleeting encounter amid the massive crowd, not an endorsement.
Johnson didn’t hold back on the broader implications, invoking America’s WWII heroism: “We fought the Nazis. We defended against that evil ideology. And anybody in any party who espouses that, we’re opposing.” He outlined Republican principles as a stark contrast—rule of law, limited government, individual freedom, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and the dignity of human life—underscoring that such bigotry has no place in the party.
The chat scandal also spotlighted a separate incident: a swastika allegedly visible in the background of a Zoom call involving a Republican congressman’s staffer. “With regard to the swastika thing… a Republican congressman, allegedly one of his staffers or in a Zoom, that’s what I heard this morning,” Johnson noted. He confirmed an internal investigation is underway but declined further comment until it’s complete, saying, “I cannot comment on any further until I can’t done.”
Public reaction has been swift and divided. Jewish advocacy groups like the Anti-Defamation League condemned the leaks as “deeply disturbing,” while some MAGA supporters on X dismissed it as “fake news” or isolated antics. One X user quipped, “This is what you’re teaching the young Republicans! You’re doing a great job…” tagging Johnson directly. Progressive outlets like MSNBC framed it as evidence of normalized bigotry under Trump-era GOP influence.
For U.S. readers, this episode highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican youth wing, potentially alienating moderate voters and donors ahead of midterms. It also raises questions about vetting in conservative circles, echoing past scandals like the 2016 Access Hollywood tape but with a sharper edge of extremism.
Watch the full video clip below (sourced from The National Desk on X), where Johnson delivers his remarks in under 90 seconds:
[Video Description: Speaker Johnson at a wooden podium in a wood-paneled room, wearing a dark suit, blue tie, and glasses. He gestures emphatically while speaking to off-camera reporters. Overlays highlight key phrases like “roundly condemn” and “Young Republicans Group Chat.” The footage shows close-ups of his serious expression, with U.S. and state flags in the background. Subtitles run throughout, capturing his condemnation and principles recitation.]
Key moments include his direct rebuke at 0:10 (“we roundly condemn any of that nonsense”) and WWII reference at 1:15 (“We fought the Nazis”).
For more context, see the original X post here. The story continues to unfold, with calls for expulsions from Young Republicans chapters nationwide.