Vance says young Republicans accused of racism shouldn't have their lives 'ruined'

JD Vance has come to the defense of young Republican leaders who are under scrutiny after Politico published “hundreds of racist and hateful messages” from what the news outlet reported was their private group chat.

Vice President JD Vance has come to the defense of young Republican leaders who are under scrutiny after Politico published “hundreds of racist and hateful messages” from what it reported was their private group chat.

The “reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys,” Vance said Wednesday in an appearance on “The Charlie Kirk Show,” the podcast launched by the recently assassinated conservative activist who was a close ally of Vance and President Donald Trump.

“They tell edgy, offensive jokes, like, that’s what kids do,” Vance continued. “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. And at some point we’re all going to have to say enough of this BS, we’re not going to allow the worst moment in a 21-year-old’s group chat to ruin a kid’s life for the rest of time. That’s just not OK.”

The messages, which were sent through the Telegram app and obtained by Politico, reportedly included racial slurs about Black and Latino people, praise of Adolf Hitler and jokes about sending opponents to gas chambers. NBC News has not independently verified the authenticity of the messages, which some members have apologized for while also suggesting the messages may have been altered.

At least three of the leaders who participated in the group chat no longer have the public jobs they had before Politico began its reporting, according to the news outlet. A fourth was not hired to work on a congressional campaign as had been planned. There has been an outcry for others involved to face consequences, as well.