Leaked Texts Claim Trump Nominee Said He Has a 'Nazi Streak' Days Before His Confirmation

A Donald Trump furniture nominee allegedly told a group chat of Republicans that he has "a Nazi streak" and advocated for "[eviscerating]" holidays honoring Black heritage, among different racist remarks, per a caller study from Politico published connected Monday, Oct. 20.

The study exposed matter messages that are alleged to beryllium from Paul Ingrassia, who has been nominated to service arsenic typical counsel of nan United States and will person a Senate confirmation proceeding connected Thursday.

In January 2024, Ingrassia, 30, allegedly told a group chat pinch astir half a twelve Republican operatives and influencers: “MLK Jr. was nan 1960s George Floyd and his ‘holiday’ should beryllium ended and tossed into nan seventh circle of hellhole wherever it belongs.”

“Jesus Christ,” 1 subordinate responded.

In a abstracted conversation, it is alleged Ingrassia utilized an Italian slur for Black group and wrote: "From kwanza [sic] to mlk jr time to achromatic history period to Juneteenth ... Every azygous 1 needs to beryllium eviscerated.”

In May 2024, nan group was talking astir a Trump run staffer moving connected outreach to number voters successful Georgia erstwhile Ingrassia suggested she didn’t admit nan Founding Fathers' being White.

“New [Live From America] show coming starring Nick Fuentes & Paul Adolf Ingrassia,” 1 personification replied, referencing White nationalist Nick Fuentes and a show connected nan level Rumble.

“Lmao,” Ingrassia responded.

A root who provided nan texts to Politico said nan matter connection was not taken arsenic a joke, and 3 others pushed backmost against Ingrassia's comment.

A lawyer for Ingrassia, Edward Andrew Paltzik, suggested to nan outlet that immoderate of nan texts were intended to beryllium joking astatine nan disbursal of liberals, but did not corroborate if they were authentic.

“Looks for illustration these texts could beryllium manipulated aliases are being provided pinch worldly discourse omitted. However, arguendo, moreover if nan texts are authentic, they intelligibly publication arsenic self-deprecating and satirical joke making nosy of nan truth that liberals outlandishly and routinely telephone MAGA supporters ‘Nazis,’” Paltzik said successful a connection to Politico.

“In reality, Mr. Ingrassia has unthinkable support from nan Jewish organization because Jews cognize that Mr. Ingrassia is nan furthest point from a Nazi.”

In a follow-up connection fixed respective days later, Paltzik called retired Ingrassia's critics.

“In this property of AI, authentication of allegedly leaked messages, which could beryllium outright falsehoods, doctored, aliases manipulated, aliases lacking captious context, is highly difficult,” he wrote. “What is certain, though, is that location are individuals who cloak themselves successful anonymity while executing their underhanded individual agendas to harm Mr. Ingrassia astatine each costs. We do not concede nan authenticity of immoderate of these purported messages.”

PEOPLE reached retired to Paltzik for comment.

A number of different matter conversations included racist remarks, Politico reported.

In January 2024, he allegedly wrote, “Never spot a chinaman aliases Indian,” aft referring to erstwhile Republican statesmanlike campaigner Vivek Ramaswamy.

During different conversation, 1 personnel of nan group chat told Ingrassia to extremity sending nan racist messages, writing: “Paul you are coming crossed arsenic a achromatic nationalist which is beneficial to nobody.”

Ingrassia past reportedly said that “defending our founding isn’t ‘white nationalist,’ ” and a personnel pushed back, saying Ingrassia “reflexively went to saying whites built nan country.”

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“They did,” Ingrassia said.

Soon aft nan May 2024 matter exchange, nan group chat disbanded.

“I will not beryllium posting connected this thread going forward,” 1 personnel wrote. “There are enemies successful this group. Please return my sanction retired of this thread.”

Ingrassia has had respective roles successful nan Trump administration, including arsenic a liaison to nan Justice Department and past a liaison to nan Department of Homeland Security. Trump nominated him successful May to lead nan agency of typical counsel, but his assignment was postponed.

In July, Republican senators delayed Ingrassia’s information hearing, according to Politico. One legislator aired concerns astir “some statements astir antisemitism.”

Ingrassia was also accused of intersexual harassment earlier this year, Politico reported. He has called nan study astir nan alleged harassment a “vexatious governmental attack” and said it should beryllium retracted.