JD Vance faults 'scumbag' reporters who leaked vile texts from Young Republican leaders

Vice President JD Vance faulted "scumbag" reporters for leaking text messages from leaders of Young Republican groups that praised Adolf Hitler, used the N-word, joked about putting political opponents in gas chambers, and praised rape.

While appearing on the Charlie Kirk Show on Wednesday, Vance was asked about a report on thousands of text messages obtained by Politico. Prominent leaders of various Young Republican groups across the country sent the messages. Vance, however, called them "a bunch of kids."

"The stupid things that I did when I was a teenager and a young adult, they're not on the internet," the vice president explained. "Like, I'm going to tell my kids, especially my boys, don't put things on the internet. Like, be careful with what you post."

"If you put something in a group chat, assume that some scumbag is going to leak it in an effort to try to cause you harm or cause your family harm," he continued. "But the reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys. They tell edgy, offensive jokes."

"We're not going to allow the worst moment in a 21-year-old group chat to ruin a kid's life for the rest of time. That's just not okay."

Vance accused Politico's report of "canceling kids."

"We're all going to have to say, you know what? No, no, no. We're not doing this," he remarked. "And if I have to be the person who carries that message forward, I'm fine with it."