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 Republicans that he has “a Nazi streak” and advocated for “[eviscerating]” holidays honoring Black heritage, among other racist remarks, per a new report from Politico published on Monday, Oct. 20.

The report exposed text messages that are alleged to be from Paul Ingrassia, who has been nominated to serve as special counsel of the United States and will have a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.

In January 2024, Ingrassia, 30, allegedly told a group chat with around half a dozen Republican operatives and influencers: “MLK Jr. was the 1960s George Floyd and his ‘holiday’ should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.”

“Jesus Christ,” one participant responded.

In a separate conversation, it is alleged Ingrassia used an Italian slur for Black people and wrote: “From kwanza [sic] to mlk jr day to black history month to Juneteenth … Every single one needs to be eviscerated.”

In May 2024, the group was talking about a Trump campaign staffer working on outreach to minority voters in Georgia when Ingrassia suggested she didn’t acknowledge the Founding Fathers’ being White.

“Paul belongs in the Hitler Youth with Ubergruppenfuhrer Steve Bannon,” one person in the chat responded to Ingrassia’s comments, referring to a Nazi Germany paramilitary rank and the Republican strategist.

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

“New [Live From America] show coming starring Nick Fuentes & Paul Adolf Ingrassia,” one person replied, referencing White nationalist Nick Fuentes and a show on the platform Rumble.

“Lmao,” Ingrassia responded.

A source who provided the texts to Politico said the text message was not taken as a joke, and three others pushed back against Ingrassia’s comment.

A lawyer for Ingrassia, Edward Andrew Paltzik, suggested to the outlet that some of the texts were intended to be joking at the expense of liberals, but did not confirm if they were authentic.

“Looks like these texts could be manipulated or are being provided with material context omitted. However, arguendo, even if the texts are authentic, they clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor making fun of the fact that liberals outlandishly and routinely call MAGA supporters ‘Nazis,’” Paltzik said in a statement to Politico.

“In reality, Mr. Ingrassia has incredible support from the Jewish community because Jews know that Mr. Ingrassia is the furthest thing from a Nazi.”

In a follow-up statement given several days later, Paltzik called out Ingrassia’s critics.

“In this age of AI, authentication of allegedly leaked messages, which could be outright falsehoods, doctored, or manipulated, or lacking critical context, is extremely difficult,” he wrote. “What is certain, though, is that there are individuals who cloak themselves in anonymity while executing their underhanded personal agendas to harm Mr. Ingrassia at all costs. We do not concede the authenticity of any of these purported messages.”

PEOPLE reached out to Paltzik for comment.

A number of other text conversations included racist remarks, Politico reported.

In January 2024, he allegedly wrote, “Never trust a chinaman or Indian,” after referring to former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

During another conversation, one member of the group chat told Ingrassia to stop sending the racist messages, writing: “Paul you are coming across as a white nationalist which is beneficial to nobody.”

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

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“They did,” Ingrassia said.

Soon after the May 2024 text exchange, the group chat disbanded.

“I will not be posting on this thread going forward,” one member wrote. “There are enemies in this group. Please take my name out of this thread.”

Ingrassia has had several roles in the Trump administration, including as a liaison to the Justice Department and then a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. Trump nominated him in May to lead the office of special counsel, but his appointment was postponed.

In July, Republican senators delayed Ingrassia’s nomination hearing, according to Politico. One senator aired concerns about “some statements about antisemitism.”

Ingrassia was also accused of sexual harassment earlier this year, Politico reported. He has called the report about the alleged harassment a “vexatious political attack” and said it should be retracted.