Recent revelations of racist messages in Republican group chats have spotlighted overt bigotry within the party. Vice presidential candidate JD Vance dismissed concerns over such incidents, while explicit remarks by Trump nominee Paul Ingrassia have drawn widespread criticism. These events underscore racism in both communications and proposed policies aimed at a 'whiter America.'
The latest episode of Slate's 'What Next' podcast, titled 'The GOP isn’t bothering to hide it,' aired on October 22, 2025, and delves into escalating concerns about racism in Republican circles. Hosted by Mary Harris, the discussion features guest David A. Graham, a staff writer for The Atlantic, who examines how such attitudes have become more overt.
The episode highlights a group chat involving GOP staffers and Young Republicans, where racist content prompted backlash. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, quickly dismissed these concerns, downplaying the racism evident in the exchanges. Shortly after, POLITICO published messages from Paul Ingrassia, a nominee for a Trump administration role, revealing explicitly racist statements. These disclosures have potentially jeopardized Ingrassia's support among congressional Republicans, who have otherwise shown compliance with party leadership.
Graham notes that racism extends beyond private chats into public policy proposals. The podcast argues that these initiatives, unimaginable as acceptable a decade ago, openly pursue a vision of a 'whiter America.' Tags associated with the episode include racism, Republicans, and the Supreme Court, suggesting broader implications for judicial and political spheres.
Production credits go to Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther, emphasizing the podcast's role in unpacking daily news complexities.