Mass Texts Target Black Americans with Racist Messages After Election

Across the United States, dozens of Black Americans have reported receiving disturbing text messages inviting them to “pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”

The messages, sent from anonymous numbers, began appearing just hours after the contentious presidential election concluded earlier this week.

One recipient, Monèt Miller, a 29-year-old publicist from Atlanta, described her shock upon receiving the message Wednesday morning. Already reeling from the election results, Miller said the unsolicited text left her feeling unsafe.

“I wondered how they got my number and if I was being watched,” Miller shared in an interview. In her panic, she responded, “Who is this?! I’m going to find who you are,” and later posted the message on social media, discovering that several friends had received similar texts.

“It felt like a scare tactic,” she said. “Given the current climate, it wasn’t just offensive—it was genuinely frightening.”

Widespread Targeting Across Campuses

Black social media users nationwide have reported receiving similar messages, including students from major universities such as Ohio State, Clemson, the University of Southern California, and Missouri State.

Domonique Valles, 23, a student at the University of Southern California, said he and several fraternity brothers were among the recipients. Valles has since filed a complaint with the FBI, expressing concern for his safety.

“I feel unsafe on campus,” he said. “At the very least, the university should show solidarity with the Black community and offer support.”

USC condemned the messages in a statement, calling them “hateful and unacceptable,” and referred affected students to its Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX.

FBI and Schools Respond

The FBI confirmed Thursday that it is aware of the texts and is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Justice. It urged recipients to report the messages to local law enforcement.

Clemson University also addressed the situation, stating that the numbers linked to the texts were associated with online spoofing services. Campus police are actively investigating the matter alongside state authorities.

TextNow, a messaging platform tied to some of the numbers, said it had shut down the offending accounts. “We do not tolerate harassment or spam and will work with authorities to prevent future misuse of our service,” a spokesperson said.

The messages, some of which referenced Donald Trump, have sparked widespread outrage and fear. While many recipients see the texts as a deliberate attempt to intimidate Black Americans, others believe they are designed to stoke racial tensions in the wake of the election.

Brian Hughes, a representative for Trump’s campaign, denounced the messages, calling it “absolute nonsense” to link them to the president. He added, “If we can trace these messages, we will take legal action to stop them.”

The NAACP released a statement condemning the texts, attributing them to a climate of hate emboldened by the president-elect’s rhetoric. “This is the unfortunate reality of electing a leader who has historically embraced and, at times, encouraged hate,” the statement said.

Although many recipients were college students, the messages targeted Black Americans of various ages. Some high school students also reported receiving the texts, raising concerns about a broader campaign of racial intimidation.

Corryn Freeman, 35, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said the texts felt like a warning. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this happened right after Trump’s election,” she said. “This feels like an intentional effort to scare Black people into submission.”

While some recipients dismissed the texts with anger or humor, others fear they signal an escalation of racist attacks. “People are testing the limits of how far they can go,” said Miller. “I worry this is just the beginning—and that future attacks may move beyond phone screens to physical spaces.”

Federal and state agencies, alongside wireless carriers, are investigating the origins of the texts. The Federal Communications Commission said it is working with law enforcement to address the issue, while the CTIA, the wireless industry’s trade group, is pushing back against aggregators responsible for campaigns like this.

For now, recipients remain on edge. “This kind of racism is a stark reminder of the work we have left to do as a society,” said Valles. “It’s not just about hateful messages—it’s about the fear and danger they bring to our community.”