College Republicans stand by Kai Schwemmer amid backlash over controversial past

The College Republicans of America (CRA) faced backlash after appointing Kai Schwemmer as its new political director; critics have noted his past controversial statements and his ties to figures associated with the “groyper” movement.

Schwemmer, who was named to a leadership role by the CRA earlier this month, has ties to far-right extremist Nick Fuentes and has made numerous statements that some critics have described as antisemitic.

It also has a channel on the Cozy.Tv platform founded by Fuentes and Alex Jones. Although the channel appears to be actively gaining followers, the last video listed in the “replays” section was from June 2025.

Schwemmer appeared in Fuentes’ 2021 video promoting his “White Boy Summer” tour and was a “special guest” at Fuentes’ 2022 America First Political Action Conference. Jewish Insider.

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In a December interview with Reawaken USA, Schwemmer claimed that the CEOs of Raytheon and Boeing were Jewish and grouped them as “Zionists in America” ​​who would support U.S. involvement in and support of Israel “no matter what,” even though none of the top executives were Jewish.

When asked about his comments, a CRA representative said Schwemmer’s “intent was not to be anti-Semitic or inaccurate; he encountered misinformation during the investigation.”

College Republicans of America It was formed in 2023 amid a dispute with establishment leadership at the College Republican National Committee. Its goal is “to help the GOP develop the next generation of Republican activists, staffers and leaders.”

Multiple Jewish organizations, including the ADL and StopAntisemitism, condemned Schwemmer’s appointment, citing his controversial past.

“Fuentes has a strong influence on his fans, the ‘Groyper Army,’ and regularly makes jokes about the Holocaust. Schwemmer attended Fuentes’ lectures, posted on his platform, and spread conspiracy theories about ‘Zionists’ in America,” Anti-Defamation League CEO said. Jonathan Greenblatt He wrote to X.

“At a time when we are witnessing the real dangers of antisemitism in higher education and know it is a clear and growing problem on campuses, elevating individuals who promote such hateful rhetoric undermines the credibility of the organization and the values ​​it claims to support,” StopAntisemitism founder and Executive Director Liora Rez said in a statement to Fox News Digital. he said.

Schwemmer, who studied at Brigham Young University in Utah, said in a statement on March 13 that his past words did not reflect his current beliefs.

“Life is a process of growth and development. Comments I made in high school and in my youth should not be perceived as fully reflecting my current views or attitudes. I unequivocally condemn all forms of hatred, including anti-Semitism.” Schwemmer wrote on X In direct response to Greenblatt.

“I am not an idiot; I am simply and unapologetically an American nationalist. Moreover, any positions I hold are personal positions, not positions of the CRA. I reject the ADL’s assertion that the College Republicans or I now hate Jews or have ever hated them.”

Schwemmer acknowledged that he had spoken “unnecessarily rude or derogatory” in the past, adding that “since returning from my service as a missionary, I have made adjustments to become a better disciple of Christ.” He did not elaborate on what views changed or what specific statements he was referring to in the post.

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College Republicans of America stand behind the decision to appoint Kai Schwemmer. (CSUDH via Getty Images)

The CRA’s leadership did not back down when faced with mounting criticism. CRA President Martin Bertao He said he would not apologize for choosing Schwemmer.

“During the last day, I thought a lot about my decision to appoint Kai as political director of the CRA. And I came to this conclusion. [sic] The decision I want to apologize to…absolutely NO ONE, the CRA will never back down on the WOKE gang!,” he wrote on March 6.

Bertao replied Schwemmer’s statement said he looks forward to the new political director playing a key role in the CRA’s efforts to support Republicans in the midterm elections.

Schwemmer also listed He took part as a speaker in Turning Point USA’s Pick Up the Mic initiative, which was launched in memory of TPUSA’s founder, Charlie Kirk.

Turning Point USA did not respond to comment.

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University of Florida. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/The Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

In response to Fox News Digital’s questions about Schwemmer and the controversy surrounding his appointment, Macy Gunnell, the CRA’s vice president of communications, noted a letter released by CRA President William Donahue: “We are currently moving forward without fueling any divisions on the Right and are instead focusing all of our energies on campaigning and electing Republicans.”

Schwemmer echoed that sentiment in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “I, as well as the rest of college Republicans, are tired of feeding the ‘eat your own’ cancel culture paradigm that only works to give the left an advantage. We are interested in building a better future for Americans, and every minute spent focusing on quote mining and drama is a minute not spent fighting to pass legislation like the Save America Act that will have a real impact on the direction of the country.”

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Schwemmer last month criticized President Donald Trump over his administration’s handling of the Epstein files.

“We started to distrust the government, so we voted for Trump and something new,” he said New York Times. “And now we’re watching it turn into what we’ve had all this time. If a populist, right-wing president can’t be trusted, what does that leave you?”