Miami Republicans, university rocked by report of racist group chat

Leaked logs show prominent GOP members and student leaders exchanged hateful messages

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A Florida university is investigating a report that prominent members of the local Republican Party and conservative student leaders exchanged racist, antisemitic and homophobic messages in an online group chat. The leaked logs showed participants included the secretary of Miami-Dade County's Republican Party and student leaders of Florida International University's Turning Point USA chapter.

Why it matters

The revelations have rocked the Miami political scene and the university, raising concerns about the spread of hate speech and extremism among some conservative groups. The incident highlights the risks of private online group chats, where participants may feel a false sense of privacy despite the permanent record of their messages.

The details

According to the Miami Herald report, the WhatsApp group chat began in the autumn and included participants such as Abel Carvajal, the secretary of Miami-Dade County's Republican Party, and student leaders of Florida International University's Turning Point USA chapter. The messages contained racist, antisemitic and homophobic content, including a proposal by one participant to commit acts of extreme violence against Black people.

  • The group chat began in the autumn of 2025.
  • The leaked logs were reported by the Miami Herald on March 5, 2026.

The players

Abel Carvajal

The secretary of Miami-Dade County's Republican Party who participated in the group chat.

Dariel Gonzalez

The former recruitment chair of the College Republicans who used a slur to refer to Jewish people.

William Bejerano

A participant in the group chat who proposed dozens of acts of extreme violence against Black people.

Florida International University

The state-funded university where the Turning Point USA chapter was based and where the investigation is taking place.

Republican Party of Miami-Dade County

The local Republican Party organization that has started proceedings to remove Carvajal from his position.

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What they’re saying

“Florida International University President Jeanette Nunez said in a statement on Thursday that the university 'does not and will not tolerate violence, hate, discrimination, harassment, racism or antisemitism.'”

— Jeanette Nunez, President, Florida International University (Miami Herald)

“Kevin Cooper, the chair of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County, condemned the group chat in a statement on Thursday and said the party's board had started proceedings to remove Carvajal.”

— Kevin Cooper, Chair, Republican Party of Miami-Dade County (Miami Herald)

What’s next

The Miami university's police department is investigating the allegations with local, state and federal law enforcement. The Republican Party of Miami-Dade County has started proceedings to remove Carvajal from his position.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing concerns about the spread of hate speech and extremism within some conservative political circles, even at the highest levels of local party leadership. It underscores the need for greater accountability and vigilance against the normalization of such harmful rhetoric, especially in private online spaces.