Trending Now - Florida University Investigates Racist Texts in GOP Group Chat

WHO:

Florida International University (FIU)

Abel Alexander Carvajal, secretary of Miami-Dade County’s Republican Party and student at FIU’s College of Law

William Bejerano, participant in the group chat

Dariel Gonzalez, then College Republicans’ recruitment chair

Ian Valdes, Turning Point USA FIU chapter president

Jeanette Nunez, FIU President

Sam Markstein, spokesman for the Republican Jewish Coalition

Kevin Cooper, first Jewish chair of the Miami-Dade Republican Party

Juan Porras, Republican state representative and Miami-Dade GOP state committee member

Florida Republican state senators Alexis Calatayud, Ileana Garcia, and Ana Maria Rodriguez

WHAT:

FIU launched an investigation into a group chat linked to a local GOP official that included violent racist slurs, antisemitic comments, and misogynistic language.

The group chat reportedly included the N-word used more than 400 times.

Carvajal confirmed he started the chat but denied knowledge of the problematic comments until contacted by the Miami Herald.

Carvajal deleted 14 messages from other participants and 42 of his own before the publication obtained the chat logs.

The Republican Party of Florida condemned the comments and stated they were “completely contrary” to what the organization represents.

Calls for Carvajal’s resignation were made by Kevin Cooper and Juan Porras.

Florida Republican state senators called for the immediate expulsion of individuals involved in the chat from party leadership.

WHERE:

Florida International University (FIU), Miami, Florida

Miami-Dade County, Florida

WHEN:

The group chat was started in September 2025.

The investigation was announced on Thursday, March 3, 2026.

The Miami Herald published leaked conversations on March 3, 2026.

WHY:

The investigation was prompted by the discovery of racist, sexist, antisemitic, and homophobic comments in the group chat.

The comments were deemed contrary to the values of the Republican Party of Florida.

HOW:

The investigation is being conducted by FIU campus police in coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement.

The group chat was conducted via WhatsApp.

Florida International University has launched an investigation into a WhatsApp group chat linked to a local GOP official, which contained violent racist slurs, antisemitic comments, and misogynistic language, including the N-word used over 400 times. Abel Alexander Carvajal, who confirmed he started the chat, deleted numerous messages before the Miami Herald published the logs, prompting calls for his resignation from Republican leaders like Kevin Cooper and Juan Porras. The Republican Party of Florida condemned the comments as completely contrary to its values, and state senators are demanding the immediate expulsion of those involved from party leadership.