Paul Joseph Tinkle shared with Blaze News that he’s been actively campaigning for the Republican Party in Indiana since he was a teenager. His recent work included being an operative for the Indiana GOP, until he was abruptly dismissed on Tuesday after he made the “OK” hand gesture in a photo, which he asserts was the reason for his firing.
Tinkle discussed the incident with Blaze News, detailing the circumstances leading to his termination, the behind-the-scenes actions creating a climate of alarm, and implications for the party moving forward.
‘Indiana is a place that a lot of people are worried is trending purple, and it’s the liberal Republicans … that are making us go purple.’
The ordeal began when a group picture was shared on social media Sunday morning, in which Tinkle was making the “OK” sign. “That Sunday morning, I began receiving texts from a few people in my program — supervisors within this [Indiana GOP] initiative,” he explained.
One supervisor showed him a text they received from someone in Hamilton County asking, “Well, explain yourself. Like, what’s going on here?” Tinkle elaborated through text but felt he never had the chance for an in-person discussion.
The 27-year-old Tinkle elaborated that between his various roles in Republican campaigns and working for the Indiana state GOP, he also spent three years teaching in Japan under the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, a government-sponsored initiative.
Tinkle pointed out that the “OK” gesture is a widespread and innocent sign in Japan when posing for pictures.
On the messages referring to Hamilton County, the county’s GOP chair, Mario Massillamany, denied any involvement in Tinkle’s termination. He communicated to Blaze News that he merely relayed concerns from anonymous sources to the Indiana state GOP and decided to remove the photo as a precaution.
“I was not involved in his firing,” Massillamany stated. “I had nothing to do with it and didn’t know what sign he was making.”
However, Tinkle offered a contrasting account of the events, saying, “I was informed that Mario was really angry. He reached out to folks at the top of the party,” suggesting he was never afforded a direct conversation with Massillamany or the GOP chair.
Blaze News also obtained a text sent to Tinkle from a state GOP supervisor, who chose to remain unnamed, appearing to support Tinkle’s narrative. The text indicated, “Mario thinks you dropped a white power symbol and no one will be able to convince him otherwise,” and was sent just before Tinkle’s dismissal.
Sources within the Hamilton County GOP corroborated Tinkle’s story, suggesting it reflected a pattern of anti-white sentiments from Massillamany.
Massillamany has reportedly sparked concern among party loyalists. He previously mentioned in an interview that he believes diversity and female candidates are essential for the party’s growth, a philosophy he claimed aims to encourage more individuals from varied communities to run for office in Hamilton County.
Moreover, he referred to some critiques of Secretary of State Diego Morales as racially charged, stating, “I think some of the attacks he’s faced wouldn’t happen if he were a typical white male from Indiana, but he’s a short Hispanic from Guatemala with a thick accent.” He added that because of his background, Morales has “a bigger target on him.”
When Blaze News tried to discuss Massillamany’s views on diversity, equity, and inclusion, he abruptly ended the call.
Massillamany previously dissociated the county party from Save Heritage Indiana, an anti-mass migration group, stating that he was unaware of the organization or their involvement in any Hamilton County GOP events.
In Tinkle’s firing, the Indiana GOP may have lost a dedicated party member. “I have been engaged in Republican politics since before I could vote,” Tinkle pointed out, reflecting on how he worked on the primary election at the age of 16. “I remember those early days. I love Trump.”
Tinkle warned that figures like Massillamany could jeopardize the party’s future in Indiana. “Many people believe Indiana is becoming more purple, and it’s the liberal Republicans who are contributing to that shift.”
Despite attempts to reach the Indiana state GOP for commentary, there has been no response.
