Who is Peter Guinta? Republican Blasted for Calling Black Americans 'Watermelon People' and More

Peter Giunta, a New York Young Republicans figure and GOP campaign consultant, faces intense backlash after a leaked private group chat revealed racist and antisemitic messages, including a reference to Black Americans as 'watermelon people'.

The transcript, part of a 2,900-page cache first reviewed by Politico, has already cost several participants their jobs and triggered demands for resignations across state parties.

The revelations have sparked widespread condemnation from Democratic leadership in New York and calls for his censure even within GOP circles.

Chat Revelations and Backlash

On 14 October, Politico published a leaked transcript from a private group chat involving members of New York's Young GOP, revealing Guinta using derogatory language about Black Americans ('watermelon people') and anti-Jewish tropes. He also made remarks disparaging Latino legislators and suggesting that Jewish families were responsible for 'global control.'

In response, the New York Democratic Party (NDP) issued a statement demanding that Republican leaders denounce Guinta. The NDP called his comments 'absolutely disgusting, vile, and dangerous.'

Political Role, Influence and Risks

Guinta's influence extends beyond youth politics. He has served as a consultant to local campaigns, a fundraiser for state Republican groups, and has appeared at public GOP events endorsing candidates. His network spans rural upstate districts and suburban areas, seeking to expand Republican appeal.

The Republican Party, already scrutinised for facing internal rifts over extremism and image, may face electoral costs in swing areas if it fails to distance itself from Guinta's statements. Ethnic and Black community leaders in New York have already begun to mobilise and protest endorsements tied to him.

Legal consequences may be limited. Guinta's remarks appear to be part of private speech, not direct threats or incitement, and so they are unlikely to cross criminal thresholds under US law. However, the political damage is immediate.

Hate Speeches Return to the Mainstream

Guinta's remarks did not appear in isolation. In the years following Donald Trump's rise, commentators and civil rights groups have documented an increase in extremist, hateful rhetoric leaching into mainstream political dialogue.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warns that this shift has emboldened acts of intimidation and a reticence to hold powerful actors accountable. In a recent ACLU commentary, staff attorneys highlighted how the administration's posture since Charlie Kirk's killing has targeted public discourse, threatening retaliation against those who criticise. It's a move they say mirrors historical censorship campaigns.

Online hate speech has surged across the US, often targeting racial, ethnic and religious minorities. Data from civil society and academic studies show that political discourse on social media increasingly includes dehumanising language, slurs, and calls for violence.

Free Speech Vs Consequences

Legal experts note that while much of the speech occurred in private chats and is unlikely to trigger criminal charges, political and professional consequences are swift in a climate where employers and committees enforce conduct standards. Prior cases show parties sanctioning members for bigotry even in the absence of legal liability.

Senior Democrats in New York denounced the rhetoric as 'vile' and dangerous, while Republicans moved to distance the party from those involved; national and state Young Republican bodies urged implicated members to step aside. Several participants lost roles within hours of the story breaking, underscoring reputational risk as 2026 races ramp up.

The episode threatens Republican outreach in diverse New York districts. Black, Jewish and Latino leaders have mobilised to press candidates about ties to Giunta and others named in the leak, betting that silence will carry electoral costs in suburbs and swing counties. Strategists warn of lasting brand damage if disavowals are slow or equivocal.