\u201cThe Richmond County Republican Party is appalled and unequivocally condemns the vile, hateful rhetoric recently reported by Politico. It is shocking and incredibly disappointing that this disgusting discourse could have been happening,\u201d said Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, Richmond County Republican Party chairperson.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe alleged comments are a moral disgrace. As I have said many times, hate has no place anywhere, especially in our borough and in our party. This type of behavior will not be tolerated,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
![\"Community](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760549947_525_TOMTWMMBPBCIJK36AKBVNDPK7E.jpg\"\/)
Peter Giunta from NY State Assemblyman Mike Reilly’s Office speaks at the Community Board 3 meeting held at the Stolzenthaler Knights of Columbus regarding a truck terminal proposal on Sept.10,2025. (Steve White for the Advance\/SILive.com)Steven White |Advance\/SIlive.comSteven White |Advance\/SIlive.com<\/p>\n
Tannousis said the Republicans involved in the chat have been terminated from their positions by their respective employers. \u201cTheir views do not represent the values of our Republican Party or the residents of our community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Advance\/SILive.com learned Tuesday that Assemblymember Mike Reilly fired his chief of staff, Peter Giunta, due to alleged comments he made in the text thread.<\/p>\n
When Giunta was a candidate for chair of the Young Republican National Federation, troubling messages were reportedly exchanged during his campaign.<\/p>\n
In the text chat, Giunta allegedly stated: \u201cI love Hitler,\u201d and \u201ceveryone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it appears there were two more Staten Islanders involved in the text chat.<\/p>\n
Joe Maligno, who is a Staten Islander and vice president of the Staten Island Young Republicans Club, allegedly replied to the thread about the showers and Hitler. Politico reported that Maligno previously worked for Staten Island Judge Mary A. Kavanagh, but was no longer employed in Richmond County Civil Court.<\/p>\n
In addition, Anne KayKaty, who allegedly participated in the chat, was the Staten Island Young Republicans Club\u2019s former events committee chairperson, according to a 2021 post on the club\u2019s Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n Giunta\u2019s alleged texts also referred to Black people as \u201cthe watermelon people,\u201d and \u201cmonkeys.\u201d<\/p>\n Giunta issued a public apology, expressing regret for the offensive language and claiming the messages may have been doctored. He also alleged that he was the target of a coordinated smear campaign by members of the New York City Young Republican Club, involving AI-generated content.<\/p>\n \u201cThe comments shared in the group chat that have been reported are extremely troubling and disappointing. They do not align with my values. As a result, Mr. Giunta\u2019s assignment in my office has ended,\u201d said Reilly to the Advance\/SILive.com on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Politico\u2019s investigation revealed a broader pattern of troubling behavior within the group chat, which spanned seven months and included racist, antisemitic, misogynistic, and homophobic remarks.<\/p>\n The messages reportedly praised slavery, discussed violent fantasies, and used deeply offensive language.<\/p>\n \u201c…The chat offers an unfiltered look at how a new generation of GOP activists talk when they think no one is listening,\u201d wrote Politico.<\/p>\n Said Tannousis: \u201cThe Richmond County Republican Party calls on elected officials and leaders across the political spectrum to demonstrate the same moral clarity we are showing today…Bigotry and hate do not have a home here on Staten Island.\u201d<\/p>\n Republican Borough President Vito Fossella also called for the nation\u2019s Democrats to condemn hate speech.<\/p>\n \u201cWe condemn hate \u2014 racism, antisemitism, sexism \u2014 in all its forms and all its expressions. There is no place for bigotry in our city or in our party. We take it seriously, we hold people accountable, and we will root it out,” Fossella said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd, the accountability must apply to individuals and office holders in the Democratic party, as well…There is no place \u2014 in either party or anywhere in America \u2014 for hate. As we look within and take responsibility for our own, we hope Democrats find the courage to act with the same moral clarity,” he added.<\/p>\n Press conference to be held<\/p>\n On Tuesday evening the Richmond County Democratic Party placed blame on the Trump administration for the alleged hate speech.<\/p>\n \u201cPresident Trump and the Republican Party have created an environment where hateful rhetoric is not only spread widely, but condoned,\u201d said Charles D. Fall Assembly deputy majority leader and chair of the Staten Island Democratic Party.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is tragic that this type of speech appears to be commonplace among the next generation of Republican leaders. It is time for the GOP to call out racist, violent language for what it is…,\u201d added Fall, whose district includes the North Shore, and parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.<\/p>\n The Staten Island Democratic Party,<\/a> along with representatives from the NAACP and other community leaders, have planned a press conference to address the text chat for Wednesday, Oct. 15, in front of Republican headquarters at 2300 Richmond Rd., New Dorp at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n