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

A Donald Trump cabinet nominee allegedly told a group chat of Republican operatives that he has “a Nazi streak” and suggested “[eviscerating]” holidays honoring Black heritage, according to a new Politico report published Monday, Oct. 20.

The messages, reportedly sent by Paul Ingrassia, Trump’s nominee for special counsel of the United States, include multiple racist and inflammatory comments. Ingrassia, 30, is expected to face the Senate for a confirmation hearing on Thursday.

In one alleged message from January 2024, Ingrassia wrote, “MLK Jr. was the 1960s George Floyd and his ‘holiday’ should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.” Another participant in the chat responded, “Jesus Christ.”

In a separate exchange, Ingrassia reportedly used a racial slur and wrote: “From kwanza [sic] to mlk jr day to black history month to Juneteenth … Every single one needs to be eviscerated.”

Later that spring, when the group discussed a Trump campaign staffer working on minority voter outreach in Georgia, Ingrassia allegedly mocked her focus on diversity. One person in the chat replied, “Paul belongs in the Hitler Youth with Ubergruppenfuhrer Steve Bannon.”

“I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it,” Ingrassia allegedly responded.

The messages continued with others condemning his remarks. A source who provided the texts to Politico said the group did not view the comments as jokes.

Attorney Edward Andrew Paltzik, representing Ingrassia, told the outlet that the messages — even if authentic — were meant as “self-deprecating and satirical humor” mocking liberal accusations that Trump supporters are Nazis. He added that Ingrassia “has incredible support from the Jewish community” and claimed the texts could be “doctored or manipulated.”

In other alleged messages, Ingrassia reportedly wrote, “Never trust a chinaman or Indian,” after referring to former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. When another participant urged him to stop, saying he was “coming across as a white nationalist,” Ingrassia replied, “Defending our founding isn’t ‘white nationalist.’”

Soon after those conversations, the group chat disbanded, with one member writing, “There are enemies in this group. Please take my name out of this thread.”

Ingrassia has previously served in the Trump administration as a liaison to the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Trump nominated him in May to lead the Office of Special Counsel, though his hearing was postponed after Republican senators raised concerns about alleged antisemitic statements.

Politico also reported that Ingrassia has faced accusations of sexual harassment earlier this year. His lawyer denied the claims, saying, “Mr. Ingrassia has never harassed any coworkers — female or otherwise, sexually or otherwise — in connection with any employment.”