The Minimization of Racism: How Mainstream Media Soft‑Pedaled the Young Republican Leaks

Why Headlines Chose 'Monkeys' Over the N‑Word

When nearly 3,000 pages of leaked Telegram messages from Young Republican leaders surfaced, the revelations were shocking: racist slurs, antisemitic praise for Hitler, misogynistic rape jokes, and violent fantasies about political opponents. Yet the way the mainstream press covered these leaks raises troubling questions. While outlets acknowledged the presence of racist language, they often softened the most egregious details, choosing euphemism over precision. Reports highlighted terms like “monkeys” or “watermelon people,” but rarely confronted the repeated use of the n‑word in its variations — “nigguh,” “n***a,” and others — that appeared throughout the chats. Similarly, coverage noted that participants “praised Republicans who support slavery,” but declined to specify who was being referenced, leaving the most damning implications vague.