Piers Morgan condemns Cornell student’s refusal to work for a Jew as overt antisemitism
On his show, Piers Morgan confronted Cornell senior Austin Franco, who reiterated his refusal to work for a Jewish person and dismissed any apology.
Cornell student Austin Franco drew widespread criticism after turning down a New York-based startup internship, explicitly stating he would not work for a Jew. He appeared on Piers Morgan’s “Uncensored” program, where Morgan highlighted Franco’s refusal to apologize and called his attitude “brazenly antisemitic.” Franco argued his views stem from personal encounters with Jewish people at Cornell and Virginia Tech and pointed to Israel’s policies as a factor.
Cornell University’s president Michael I. Kotlikoff publicly denounced the comments and said the Office of Civil Rights is investigating, though the school claimed no disciplinary action had been taken yet. A video from the watchdog group Accuracy in Media suggested the university had limited grounds for action. Following the interview, Franco announced his parents will kick him out of their home on August 1, asking for support and stating he has no regrets. Morgan concluded he would not employ Franco and warned of the broader impact of such statements.
Why it matters
The incident highlights how hateful remarks by a university student can spark national debate and institutional responses.
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