Trump nomination likely to go up in flames after racist texts leak

President Donald Trump’s nomination as special counsel is on the verge of unraveling after a report alleged he sent racist and disturbing text messages in a group chat with Republican Party operatives and influencers.

Politico on Monday published purported texts from former White House staffer Paul Ingrassia, whose Senate confirmation hearings begin Thursday. In a message sent in May last year, Ingrassia allegedly said he had a “Nazi streak,” alarming other members of the six-person chat.

In other posts months earlier, Ingrassia, 30, allegedly complained that “MLK Jr. was the George Floyd of the ’60s and his ‘vacation’ should end and he should be thrown into the seventh circle of hell, where he belongs.” More alleged texts showed him using an Italian insult for black people and saying that all holidays that celebrate them should be “gutted.”

The Politico report comes months after Ingrassia’s ties to right-wing extremist Andrew Tate and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes came to light after Trump nominated him in May.

The scandal could mean Ingrassia’s nomination to lead the whistleblower agency is dead. In an interview with News themezone’s Igor Bobic, a Republican key to his path forward said Trump should rescind it.

via News

“The administration should just withdraw that nomination. I hope that happens,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

Johnson sits on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which will hear Ingrassia’s testimony this week.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, echoed Johnson’s calls.

Other Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee told reporters they also plan to reject Ingrassia, including Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and James Lankford of Oklahoma.

Scott expressed concern about Ingrassia over the summer, saying “he had some statements about anti-Semitism.”

Ingrassia’s attorney, Edward Andrew Paltzik, initially said the texts were jokes but also questioned their authenticity.

“It appears that these texts could be manipulated or provided with omitted material context,” he told Politico. “However, arguing, even if the texts are authentic, they clearly read as satirical, self-deprecating humor that mocks the fact that liberals extravagantly and routinely call MAGA supporters ‘Nazis.'”

In a later statement, he suggested that the texts could be produced by artificial intelligence.

“In this age of AI, authenticating supposedly leaked messages, which could be completely fake, manipulated, or lacking critical context, is extremely difficult,” he said. “What is certain, however, is that there are individuals hiding in anonymity as they execute their shady personal agendas to harm Mr. Ingrassia at all costs. We do not grant the authenticity of any of these alleged messages.”

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have also called on Trump to withdraw Ingrassia’s nomination, pointing to both the new Politico report and an earlier one about her alleged history of sexual harassment. They also said he is not fully qualified for such a position of power.

“Mr. Ingrassia, a recent law school graduate, has less legal experience than many of the people applying for entry-level positions at the organization for which he is nominated,” they wrote.