Officials across the United States are examining reports of racist text messages targeting Black people, minors, students, and professionals from unknown numbers following the 2024 presidential election which Donald Trump won. These messages, some instructing recipients to “pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” have surfaced in multiple US states, including California, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
The messages differ slightly but generally carry a similar theme, instructing recipients they’ve been “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.” Reports from local news and social media show that people in more than a dozen states have received these texts.
My grandson received this text message this morning. This is the kind of shit black people have been subjected to all my life. This text is going around to young black people. It ain’t funny & laughter won’t be the consequence for whoever the cowardly MF is if I find (it). pic.twitter.com/0OjKhUdcA1
— Virvus Jones (@VirvusJ) November 7, 2024
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The senders of these messages are unknown, and a complete list of recipients isn’t available. TextNow, a messaging app, believes that these texts were part of a “widespread, coordinated attack” and has stated that it is cooperating with partners to investigate and block similar accounts.
TextNow told CNN, “We do not tolerate or condone the use of our service to send harassing or spam messages and will work with the authorities to prevent these individuals from doing so in the future.”
Derrick Johnson, CEO of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), commented on the wider implications, saying, “The unfortunate reality of electing a president who, historically, has embraced and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our eyes.”
Johnson described the messages as a troubling sign of rising racist rhetoric across the country.
“These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country, who now feel emboldened to spread hate and stoke the flames of fear that many of us are feeling after Tuesday’s election results,” he added.
I have been made aware of racist and vile spam text messages individuals have received throughout Louisiana. I have directed the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation to fully investigate the origins of these disgusting texts that only intend to divide us. I urge anyone who received… pic.twitter.com/akz37kYbXq
— Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) November 7, 2024
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Leaders from both political parties have condemned the messages, vowing to identify and stop those responsible. A Trump campaign representative, Karoline Leavitt, clarified that the campaign “has absolutely nothing to do with these text messages.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said, “Hate has no place in our country. These racist text messages targeting Black New Yorkers, including children and teens, are despicable. Any New Yorker who gets these texts should contact us: https://ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/civil-rights.”
“The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter,” the FBI said in a statement Thursday (Nov 7).
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican, took to X and said, “I have been made aware of racist and vile spam text messages individuals have received throughout Louisiana. I have directed the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation to fully investigate the origins of these disgusting texts that only intend to divide us. I urge anyone who received a text to contact my office at (800) 351-4889.”
(With inputs from agencies)