Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the White House Office of Special Counsel, has withdrawn his candidacy after racist text messages he allegedly sent were made public. The messages, published by Politico, include slurs against black people and Indian Americans, as well as references to Nazi ideology.
Ingrassia announced his decision on Truth Social, stating he lacked sufficient Republican support ahead of a scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. A White House official confirmed to the Daily Mail that Ingrassia is no longer the nominee. At least five GOP senators had expressed concern over the leaked chats, effectively sinking his nomination.
The texts, from a group chat of Young Republicans, include calls to abolish Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the use of an Italian slur for black people. In one exchange, Ingrassia wrote, “Blacks behave that way because that's their natural state… You can’t change them,” and added, “Proof: all of Africa is a shithole, and will always be that way.” In another message, he admitted, “I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time.”
Ingrassia’s lawyer, Edward Paltzik, argued the messages may have been manipulated or taken out of context, describing them as “self-deprecating and satirical humor.” He also questioned the authenticity of the leaks in the age of AI, but did not concede they were fake.
The scandal is the latest to rock the Trump administration, following earlier revelations of casual racism among Republicans. Ingrassia, who had his mother lobbying for him in Washington, said he would continue to serve the president’s agenda.
