Karl Stefanovic calls Knox School group chat ‘disgusting’ and ‘despicable’

Karl Stefanovic has not held back over a “disgusting” and “despicable” act, calling for those involved to be “pulled over the coals”.

Today Show co-host Karl Stefanovic has called the racist, homophobic and misogynistic content shared by students from an elite all-boys Sydney private school “one of the most disgusting despicable things” he has seen.

The images and language used in the Gang Gang Discord private chatroom by boys at Knox Grammar School was exposed by The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.

There were reportedly videos that appeared to show young men being raped and comments that referenced wanting to be a pedophile and raping children.

Some of the names of the accounts were Ni**er Removal Service and Fa**othater3000.

There were numerous anti-Semitic and racist comments, while confronting remarks were made about women and abortions.

The chat appeared to be active for about two years and featured current students, former students and their friends.

A clearly disgusted Stefanovic called the boys’ actions “deplorable”.

Karl Stefanovic slammed the students’ actions. Picture: Channel 9

“This is one of the most disgusting despicable things I have seen. Yes, boys will be boys, but this goes too far,” he said on Thursday.

“How do we expect these boys to grow up and respect women when they are circulating this sort of rubbish around themselves.

“If I’m a parent at the school, I’m pulling my kid out.

“They need to be absolutely pulled over the coals these kids.”

It was noted that due to the school’s status those involved could have gone on to hold influential roles in society like being a doctor, politician or lawyer.

“They take that into the workforce and the culture continues,” Stefanovic said.

“It needs to be eliminated and eliminated now.”

Today show co-host Ally Langdon added that some of the messages and their content were “downright revolting”.

“I think sometimes it can be dismissed as boys will be boys but what was read and what was posted on this site was so offensive it takes it to a whole new level,” she said.

Stefanovic and Ally Langdon both expressed their disgust over the students' actions. Picture: The Today Show

Knox Grammar principal Scott James confirmed in a letter to parents on Wednesday that several students had been suspended or left the school.

He said the boys posted “inappropriate images and engaged in offensive commentary” and their actions did not reflect the school’s education standards or expectations of its students.

“I am writing to inform you about action the school has taken following an incident involving several boys from the senior school,” Mr James wrote.

“The nature of these posts is contrary to the values and culture of Knox and is unacceptable.

“The actions of these boys do not reflect a Knox education or the expectations that we place on our students to be respectful and responsible citizens in the community.”

Stefanovic expressed his doubts over whether any action would have been taken if Daily Telegraph crime editor Mark Morri had not broken the story.

“I don’t think the school would have done anything if Mark hadn’t raised the story,” he said.

“They might have done a small amount of things.”

Knox Grammar principal Scott James confirmed in a letter to parents that several students had been suspended or left the school. Picture: Tim Hunter

In 2009, five Knox Grammar teachers were charged with historical sex abuse crimes, while a 2015 child sex abuse royal commission accused the school of covering up more than three decades of abuse.

Knox Grammar’s director of swimming Nicholas Warby was also charged with possessing child abuse material in 2019.

Located in Sydney’s affluent upper north shore suburb of Wahroonga, the massive boarding school charges up to $35,000 a year for students to attend.

Material from the group chat has been provided to NSW Police.

Child abuse and sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty confirmed specialist detectives were reviewing it.

Knox Grammar School in Sydney’s Upper North Shore has no connection to The Knox School in Victoria.