Black MAGA Lawmaker Condemns Racist GOP Group Chat

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds calls out vile, offensive comments from fellow Republicans

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Byron Donalds, a pro-Trump Black Republican congressman from Florida who is running for governor, issued a statement condemning a group chat between Florida College Republicans, Turning Point USA, and Miami GOP officials that contained virulently racist and antisemitic messages, including fantasies about killing and mutilating Black people.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing tensions and divisions within the Republican Party, particularly around issues of race and diversity. As a prominent Black conservative, Donalds' condemnation carries weight and underscores the party's struggle to address extremism and bigotry in its ranks.

The details

The group chat was led by Miami Secretary Abel Alexander Carvajal and created after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk last year. In the exchanges, local GOP student activists frequently used racial slurs to describe Black people, including those who had left the group. The most vile comments came from William Bejerano, who previously tried to organize an anti-abortion group, and included graphic fantasies about killing and torturing Black individuals.

  • The group chat was created in the aftermath of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in 2025.

The players

Byron Donalds

A pro-Trump Florida congressman who is currently running for governor and one of the few Black Republicans in Congress.

Abel Alexander Carvajal

The Miami Secretary who led the racist group chat.

William Bejerano

A local GOP student activist who posted the most vile, racist comments in the group chat, including graphic fantasies about killing and torturing Black individuals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Everyone has the First Amendment right to say what they want — even when it's vile and offensive. But free speech doesn't entitle someone to hold a leadership position within the Republican Party or the conservative movement. The comments reported run counter to the values our party stands for. The Republican Party rejects racism, antisemitism, and bigotry.”

— Byron Donalds, Congressman (The Floridian)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party to address extremism and bigotry, even among its own elected officials and activists. As a prominent Black conservative, Donalds' condemnation carries weight and underscores the party's need to more forcefully reject racism and antisemitism in its ranks.