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Cornell Student Faces Zero Discipline After Vile ‘No Jew’ Comment
Cornell Student Who Made Antisemitic Remark Says School Hasn’t Punished Him
What Happened: The Short Version
A Cornell University student named Austin Franco went viral in June 2026 after sending a shocking message to a potential employer. When offered a job, he replied: "Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks."
Important Point: This message was sent on Handshake, the official job platform used by Cornell students and employers.
How It All Started
1. The Job Offer
- Gabe Einhorn (CEO of a real estate company) and his brother Aiden offered Franco a role through Handshake.
- Both men are proudly Jewish.
2. The Response
- Franco wrote back rejecting the offer specifically because they are Jewish.
- Gabe Einhorn posted the message on X (formerly Twitter), where it got over 2 million views.
3. Franco Doubled Down
- He did not apologize.
- On X, he wrote: "My experiences with Jews have not been pleasant… on the aggregate that is not the case."
- He told the student newspaper he identified them as Jewish from their "first and last name, LinkedIn, and physiognomy."
Cornell’s Official Response
The university released a statement saying:
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Condemnation | "Cornell condemns antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination in the strongest possible terms." |
| Investigation | Referred the case to the Office of Civil Rights for investigation under university policy. |
| Commitment | Reaffirmed dedication to a "safe, inclusive, and respectful environment." |
Important Point: As of late July 2026, Cornell’s statement remains "current" — but Franco says no disciplinary action has been taken against him.
The Secret Recording Controversy
Who Recorded Him?
- Accuracy in Media (AIM) — a conservative watchdog group.
- They pretended to be a different organization ("Justice in the Classroom") to get the interview.
- They recorded him without his knowledge.
What Franco Says in the Video
- He claims Cornell contacted him but nothing is happening "on their back end."
- He thinks the school has "not really a leg they could go on" because he "didn’t say anything that could be classified as hateful."
- He admits: "It might not have been the smartest thing to say… But the reaction was overwhelming. Not equal to what I said."
- He insists he was being polite by giving a reason for declining.
Franco’s Reaction to Being Tricked
- He posted on X that he was duped.
- AIM reached out under a fake name, offering to "help with life after college."
- He calls it "sad that they were being disingenuous."
Outside Groups Get Involved
The Free Expression Foundation (a First Amendment nonprofit) supports Franco’s claim:
They confirm: AIM impersonated another group to gain access.
They confirm: AIM secretly recorded the conversation.
They are pursuing "all available remedies."
Summary
| Key Fact | Status |
|---|---|
| Student made antisemitic comment on school job platform | Confirmed |
| Comment went viral (2M+ views) | Confirmed |
| Cornell condemned it & opened investigation | Confirmed |
| Student says no punishment yet | His claim (July 2026) |
| Interview was secretly recorded by fake group | Supported by Free Expression Foundation |
| Student admits remark was unwise but not hateful | His view |
Bottom Line: A student made a blatantly discriminatory statement on a university-run platform. The university says it’s investigating. Months later, the student says he’s still enrolled with no consequences — and now there’s a second controversy about how a conservative group tricked him into an on-camera interview.
FAQ
Did Cornell expel or suspend the student?
Not that we know of. As of July 2026, Franco says he remains enrolled and no disciplinary action has been taken. Cornell’s last public statement says the investigation is ongoing.
Was the student’s comment illegal?
Not in the U.S. Hate speech is protected by the First Amendment unless it incites violence or meets other narrow exceptions. However, universities can enforce their own conduct codes.
What is Handshake?
Handshake is the main job-search platform used by colleges. Students and employers connect there. Franco’s message violated Handshake’s terms of service.
Why is the secret recording a big deal?
Ethics & possibly law. Recording someone without consent — especially by pretending to be someone else — may violate wiretapping laws (varies by state) and basic journalistic ethics.
What happens next?
- Cornell’s investigation could still result in discipline.
- The Free Expression Foundation may take legal action against Accuracy in Media.
- The public debate continues: free speech vs. campus safety vs. journalistic ethics.
