A bitter dispute between conservative activist Lucian Wintrich and the New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) has escalated into a multimillion-dollar legal battle. The NYYRC has filed a defamation lawsuit against Wintrich, a prominent figure in conservative circles, seeking as much as $6 million. The civil complaint, filed on behalf of the organization, accuses Wintrich of defamation, breaching a contract, and violating a non-disclosure agreement following his public criticism of the club and its leadership. Wintrich, 38, denies the allegations and is preparing to fight the lawsuit, while also threatening to pursue counterclaims.
"It’s gonna be a little Old Testament. Eye for an eye. But I will still have my eye." Lucian Wintrich, Conservative Activist
The feud originated from Wintrich's dissatisfaction with the NYYRC’s 2025 annual gala, which he publicly described as “the worst event they’ve ever thrown.” He further alleged that tables purchased by attendees were subsequently resold, an accusation the Republican club denies. NYYRC attorney Mark Luccarelli told the Daily Mail that the claim was not “remotely true.” Wintrich also reportedly expressed unhappiness with some of the individuals who attended the gala, including influencer Empath Chan.
In the days following Wintrich's initial public criticisms, he received a cease-and-desist letter instructing him to refrain from making disparaging statements about the event. Concurrently, he was removed from his volunteer role as the club’s press chairman. These actions, however, did not quell the dispute; instead, they intensified it into a highly personal war of words. Wintrich proceeded to publish multiple social media posts mocking members of the organization and launched personal attacks against its leadership. NYYRC President Stefano Forte became a primary target of Wintrich’s criticisms. Wintrich publicly called Forte an “idiot” and ridiculed his fashion choices as “Long Island pimp clothing,” while also accusing the club president of using the organization to pursue a personal vendetta.
The conflict extended beyond social media platforms. When the NYYRC hosted its America 250 Freedom Mixer in July, Wintrich orchestrated for an LED billboard truck to be positioned directly outside the event venue. The truck displayed satirical images targeting Forte, alongside material that mocked the club’s merchandise and logo.
The lawsuit also encompasses more severe accusations allegedly made by Wintrich concerning the NYYRC’s financial operations. According to the club’s civil complaint, Wintrich accused the NYYRC, under Forte’s leadership, of directing 15 percent of donations to a company that then "paid out" Forte. The NYYRC has categorically denied this accusation, identifying it as another allegedly false and defamatory statement within its lawsuit. Attorney Luccarelli stated to the Daily Mail that allegations of the organization engaging in “hundreds-of-thousands of dollars worth of donor fraud” were “invented from thin air.” Luccarelli emphasized the gravity of these claims, remarking, “This suit would be entirely unnecessary if not for the false allegations of extremely serious criminal conduct.”
Furthermore, the club’s attorney challenged Wintrich’s alleged assertion that he reported the purported financial misconduct to the New York Attorney General’s Office and that authorities subsequently initiated an investigation. Luccarelli indicated that if Wintrich maintains the truthfulness of these accusations, he should provide information identifying the attorney who purportedly handled the investigation. Luccarelli added that confirmation of such an investigation would lead the club to voluntarily withdraw its lawsuit.
Lucian Wintrich, a former White House correspondent who gained prominence for his pro-Trump "Twinks4Trump" art project, is currently preparing his defense with attorney Mackenna White of Bailen Law. He has also announced his intention to pursue counterclaims and sue Stefano Forte directly, arguing that the ongoing litigation has caused him personal and professional harm. Regarding his approach to the legal battle, Wintrich stated, "It’s gonna be a little Old Testament. Eye for an eye. But I will still have my eye."
The legal battle unfolds as Wintrich pursues a congressional campaign in New York’s 12th Congressional District, where he is registered as an independent candidate. He claims the lawsuit is a distraction from his campaign efforts. This internal Republican feud also occurs while the NYYRC addresses a separate controversy involving its former treasurer, Nicholas T. Rafael Jr., who was reportedly linked to antisemitic posts, anti-gay slurs, and a photograph appearing to show him performing a Nazi salute. Rafael denied the account belonged to him and stated the photograph was not authentic; the club placed him on leave and denied association with the account.
In another development in his ongoing conflict with his former club, Wintrich is planning a competing end-of-year gala, dubbed the "Blacklist Ball." He initially claimed journalist Matt Drudge had agreed to serve as master of ceremonies for the event, but Drudge denied any involvement, telling the Daily Mail, "Never heard of it! Not involved." The escalating dispute now sees Wintrich fighting a multi-million dollar lawsuit while simultaneously threatening his own legal actions against the leadership of one of New York’s prominent young Republican organizations.
