Publication of private messages convulses American politics

By Evan Dawson,

Megan Mack, Julie Williams

Published October 15, 2025 at 4:22 PM EDT

Two people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a woman at left has long dark hair and is wearing a black blazer over a turquoise shirt; a man at right has short dark hair and is wearing a light blue quilted pullover, jeans and sneakers.

1 of 2 — Nayeliz Santiago with host Evan Dawson on "Connections"

Nayeliz Santiago with host Evan Dawson on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Wednesday, October 15, 2025

George Yeadon / WXXI News

2 of 2 — Jimmy Vielkind WNYC

Jimmy Vielkind.

Patrick Dodson

A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.

A bombshell report in Politico revealed that a group of Republicans — some in New York State politics — repeatedly used racial slurs and other bigoted language. The fallout has cost a number of Republicans their jobs.

And while many Republicans are condemning the hateful messages, some are pointing to the violent messages sent in 2022 by Democrat Jay Jones, the candidate for Virginia Attorney General, who has not dropped out of his race.

We discuss where to draw lines and how to assess private messages that become public.

Our guests:

Nayeliz Santiago, president of Monroe County Young Democrats
Jimmy Vielkind, public media reporter at WNYC