Cornell student turns down interview, saying 'not interested in working for a Jew'

[Behind the Aegis]

A Cornell University student turned down a job interview with a New York company because he found out it is owned by Jews.

In response to New York City startup VryfID contacting him after he applied for a summer internship, Austin Franco wrote back, “Not interested in working for a Jew,” the New York Post reported on Saturday.

----

Franco, who reportedly studies industrial and labor relations, followed up with a typo-ridden post to his own X feed in which he tagged Einhorn, and explained his initial application to work at VryfID because “I found out you were Jewish after the fact.”

Addressing Einhorn, he wrote that “My experiences with Jews have not been pleasant, both in person and online. This is not to say I havent had positive experiences, but on the aggregate that is not the case.”

“Obviously, the reactions by your community only serves to further prove my point,” he added.

more...

[underpants]

1. 💩

[Boo1]

4. Where did he find a shirt

With arms that small?

[obamanut2012]

13. Boys Department

And, I am being serious.

[orleans]

40. the little shit looks like he's 12 years old. maybe 13. nt

[ms liberty]

15. A face only his mother loves. Dude needs a beard to hide the underdeveloped jaws and chin.

[flvegan]

61. Dodged a bullet not having that on your corp LinkedIn page. n/t

[BannonsLiver]

65. When it comes to genetics, he did not win the lottery, that's for sure.

A face only a mother with very poor eyesight could love.

[MustLoveBeagles]

2. Wow

[Vinca]

3. Guess he can look forward to a career as a barista instead.

[Sympthsical]

5. Oh, you missed the follow up which is Nazi-tastic

He responded to the university's newspaper, the Cornell Sun. https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2026/06/student-writes-not-interested-in-working-for-a-jew-on-handshake-cornell-reports-bias-incident

Franco found out Gabe and Aiden were Jewish based on their “first and last name, LinkedIn, and physiognomy,” according to a statement Franco wrote to The Sun.

Physiognomy is an 18th and 19th century practice of studying facial features to determine character and temperament. The practice is now regarded as pseudoscience.

Yeah. He said that. Out loud. To the school paper because he thought that was a valid defense.

Franco learned about the X post on Monday morning and wrote that he began facing doxxing and intimidation, which included “digging up personal information, harassing via email and phone employers, and receiving threats,” according to a statement from Franco to The Sun.

You mean like what Jews have been dealing with more and more the last few years from the people you're probably associated with? Pobrecito. I'd say this could be a really good opportunity for empathy, but we all know it won't be.

Edit: Oh my god, it's even better:

The whole debacle caused undue stress for my family, and they were assumed guilty by association.

So Cornell teaches no self-awareness whatsoever.

[LisaL]

10. Yes, I don't think he is doing himself any favors here.

NT

[electric_blue68]

16. Physiognomy? 🙄

[Nanjeanne]

6. An idiot. As is the NY Post giving them any attention.

[Sympthsical]

20. I'm ok with racism being exposed

What an odd thing to say. Feels ideologically conditional.

[Nanjeanne]

22. Racism should be exposed. But this is a guy who is a POS. There are tons of individual racists - against

Jews, Muslims, Trans, etc etc etc. we need to discuss policies that are making racism an acceptable behavior. We need a movement ala the extraordinary support of anti immigration racists in Belfast. Giving this one guy attention does nothing to support anyone or anything. My opinion obviously but as a Jew, this guy offends me but I’ve got bigger fish to fry sotospeak. And it disturbs me to discuss one asshole when there are policies and positions and a failure of politicians speaking out about what we need to do to stop this behavior.

[Sympthsical]

23. Can I get a list of racist incidents that we also should have ignored?

Surely some must come to mind. And because I do think there's an ideological component, could you limit this list you obviously have to targets who were not Jewish?

What racist incidents in the past, say, year have you also felt we needed to ignore?

As a gay man, if someone told me I was paying too much attention to a homophobic incident where the bigot then doubled down in a newspaper, I'd be giving that person the dirtiest of side-eyes.

[Nanjeanne]

24. I'll get right on that list but I have to wash my hair.

[Sympthsical]

25. That is an important thing

And as a gay man, I'll just note. The "As an X . . ." construction isn't as useful as surmised.

I've been around Log Cabin Republicans my entire life. Ideology has a way of getting people to elide over bigotry against groups they claim identity with.

So I see, "As an X, we shouldn't worry about bigotry against X . . ." my brain's just going, "Oh. So . . . Log Cabin Republican. Got it."

It's just not that cute a cover when running interference for bigots.

[Nanjeanne]

27. Look Im sorry you are assuming I am being flippant. Im not at all. But I do not think anything comes

from a story in the NY Post of all papers that is going to help us against bigotry towards any group. And I at no time said or even implied I was not concerned about the tide of hatred towards any group. This story and this POS person is shameful as I already said. But I also said I prefer working against this systemic intolerance and less time being outraged that this POS did this.

And I also said YMMV. So you are certainly able to express your outrage on this message board against this individual. I don’t have to defend to you my right to not want to give either the NYPost or this particular individual attention Im sure he is loving. His life will be challenged by his decisions. My life is better used on constructive initiatives.

Now have a good night.

[Sympthsical]

28. Which would be a fine explanation

If that explanation did not always cut against one specific group when convenient.

The human brain sees patterns, and I've noticed one.

I'm not going to pretend I don't. We don't all wake up every day to a clean slate where no one remembers what was said yesterday. And after several years of this pattern, I'm going to go, "Oh, we're still doing this?"

And if you weren't aware of that pattern, hey. Friendly FYI - there's a history of this pattern only being directed at one ethnic group.

[yardwork]

36. I think you're missing the point of what's happening here.

See my post downthread, as well as the post noting that he's raised $11,000 from supporters already.

This kid is saying this shit because he thinks a lot of people agree with him. He thinks his views are mainstream. That alone is a good reason for those of us who don't agree with him to speak up.

[Nanjeanne]

45. I think you are missing my point. Because i agree completely that this is disturbing. But

he’s raised money because of the very attention he shouldn’t be getting.

That there’s lots of people who agree with him is again my point. There’s a systemic hatred of people gaining hold in this country and that needs to be addressed in a real way. Speak up against antisemitism. Speak up against Islamaphobes. Speak up against anti trans people. How are you doing that? Go to protests. Write letters. Join organizations. Speak to your congresspeople. Volunteer to aid migrants being targeted by ICE. My only point was HE should be ignored. Not hatred.

[yardwork]

47. We're supposed to fight antisemitism by ignoring examples of it?

I disagree.

Americans in the 1960s were appalled to see images of firehoses and dogs turned on peaceful Black people dressed in their Sunday clothes.

We were appalled to see George Floyd suffocated to death by a cop while onlookers screamed that he was dying.

And you yourself use this technique often on DU. How many times have you posted about things Israel is doing?

People respond to incidents, not vague protests.

[Nanjeanne]

50. Just kill me now. You win. Im exhausted and my head hurts. I never said ignore examples of

Antisemitism. I said I didn’t think this POS deserves attention and the more he gets the more he is the winner in the dialogue.

What this has to do with George Floyd is beyond my reasoning.

My technique re Israel? WTF? I tried to give a perspective of Israel from a piece of Israeli citizens that doesn’t get much attention. But it became apparent that a portion of DU had no interest or deliberately or inadvertently misunderstands and it was too painful to continue so I simply stopped.

But again I have no idea what this has to do with a post that simply said this person is a POS and not deserving of attention. I apologize. He’s a POS and deserves nothing but attention. I GIVE UP. Please continue talking about it anonymously on a message board. Let’s do a group pat on our backs for it!

[yardwork]

51. Oh the drama.

Why don't you go wash your hair. You'll feel better.

[Nanjeanne]

53. Oh the rudeness. Lecture me about what I do and say. And then snidely comment when I simply give up.

That ain’t drama. Just a great big sigh that the art of discussion is apparently dead for some people and misunderstanding and lack of actual comprehension is easier in order to trivialize another’s point of view. “Wash my hair? I’ll feel better”. Jeez. I feel fine. I don’t jump into threads to lecture people. I rarely respond to anyone’s individual post unless they feel the need to comment directly to me. That a post of about 5 words should garner your attention is quite interesting.

But certainly - No drama. Just a hope to end what was the gerbil wheel. And rudeness is still rudeness. Even if you post a smilie!

Peace out.

[Nanjeanne]

57. Be careful. The bat signal may be sent out to make you defend your very simple post!!!

But thanks!

[Sympthsical]

64. This feels disingenuous

Speak up against antisemitism.

Followed with:

My only point was HE should be ignored.

So we should talk about hatred, but let's keep it vague and nebulous. When real examples occur, we should pay them no mind.

And that's fighting? Just generalized sentiment while ignoring any specific examples?

You're pro-Palestinian. Which is fine. Me too! But what you're saying is, we should just generally be pro-Palestinian. Just ignore any actual instances of racism, hatred, or violence against them. Let's just generally be for it. With signs or something.

And do you follow that path? Because lemme tell ya, post history exists.

It seems like only with Jews are getting this, "Don't talk about it! And if you do, just do it generally . . ."

It's absurd apologism for bigotry while trying to pretend it's not. That's called gas lighting. I don't know if this genuinely works on other people, because this is plate glass window transparent for me.

As for upthread and my Platonic boo - when personal beef requires running cover for Nazis raising money. Oh, girrrrrrrl. What are you doin?

[Nanjeanne]

66. Oy vay. Nothing you posted relates to anything I said but thanks for participating.

Running cover for Nazis? Post history exists? Be generally pro Palestinian but ignore actual instances of racism etc? WTF and please stop.

Boo? Personal beef? Grrrrrl?

Im exhausted just trying to read through the nonsense you attribute to me.

I can’t imagine engaging or explaining this any more. Talk amongst yourselves. Thanks.

[Akakoji]

58. The Post isn't actually criticizing him

Are they?

[betsuni]

7. He'll totally be there for campus protests against the next Democratic presidential nominee

chanting Genocide/Killer/Butcher (whatever terrorist establishment headquarters decides rhymes best; talking points, posters, protest signs, T-shirts, tents included) while wearing the cool scarf he borrowed from his sister.

[lame54]

8. Not looking good for Cornell

[redwitch]

26. Not looking good for his family.

Yikes, just so awful.

[sheshe2]

9. I sure hope this follows him the rest of his days.

I hope future job interviewers tell him he lost the job due his history of being an antisemitic little prick.

[exboyfil]

54. Internet never forgets

[AloeVera]

56. No redemption, ever?

Once a bigot....?

He's a kid. No way should his whole life be ruined.

So many lives have been ruined by doxxing. Just ask student protesters and others supporting Palestinian rights.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

59. This stupidity will follow this idiot

[yellowcanine]

11. What an ignorant little shit he is.

[Trueblue1968]

12. Shithead racist pug

[electric_blue68]

14. Welp, they wouldn't want you either, bigot! And neither would I; a non-Jew.

[oasis]

17. Hit the road schlub.

[intheflow]

18. This is awful but the employer sounds like a piece of work, too.

"He probably knows nothing about Jews accept for what they tell him in college and on social media."

Oh, he thinks Cornell is teaching students that Jews are evil?

[Sympthsical]

21. Well he didn't learn it in a vacuum.

And he felt extremely comfortable elaborating on his sentiments to the school paper. So he must feel like there's something about that academic environment where such thoughts are acceptable for an airing.

[LisaL]

30. The potential employer actually went out of his way

to try and offer this guy a chance for an interview. So he sounds really nice.

[struggle4progress]

19. "There are so many ways to say 'I'm a Nazi shithead!' Collect them all!"

[hatrack]

29. Wow! This is the "I just want some fucking bacon jalapeno mac & cheese!!", career immolation version.

[EdmondDantes_]

31. While obviously racism is bad, at least racists couple it with being profoundly stupid

If he was smart, he just would decline. Instead he decided to get a metaphorical billboard to announce to the world that he's a racist. Any future employer who searches the guy will run into this story and find a reason to not hire this walking lawsuit risk.

If racists were smarter, they would be subtle not loud.

[yardwork]

34. He seems to be assuming that his views about Jews are acceptable.

To me that's the main takeaway. I don't think he's dumb. I don't think he feels courageous, as if he were taking an unpopular stand.

He acts like somebody who thinks his beliefs are acceptable, even mainstream.

[LisaL]

35. For sure.

He certainly didn't try to hide his views.

[EdmondDantes_]

37. He might think that, but I'm guessing he finds out otherwise

While there's obviously been a rise in antisemitism, when you get featured in the New York Post for it, that's not the good type of publicity. How many companies are going to look to hire someone who is overtly this dumb when people just graduating college is higher than the overall average and employment in general is pretty stuck right now.

[yardwork]

43. It could go either way right now.

It's certain that saying hateful things about Jewish people is acceptable and even praised in some circles nowadays. He might find a home in a right-wing environment or as a commentator.

The left-wing groups that hate Jews probably won't touch him. He failed to connect his bigotry to Israel, which is today's clever way to white wash bigotry.

It's likely though, that he's going to discover a hard truth, which is that if you're clever and ruthless and charismatic enough you can make a successful career out of being a bigot, but most people don't make the cut and just end up in disgrace.

[sarisataka]

32. Franco, who reportedly studies industrial and labor relations

Methinks he needs to study harder. He hasn't learned much so far.

[yardwork]

44. He may be learning how to suppress workers.

What are they teaching at Cornell these days?

[dalton99a]

33. Cornell student who said he's 'not interested in working for a Jew' is given $11k from supporters

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cornell-student-who-said-he-s-not-interested-in-working-for-a-jew-is-given-11k-from-supporters/ar-AA25IUpJ
Cornell student who said he's 'not interested in working for a Jew' is given $11k from supporters

[Cha]

38. Figures.

💔☮️💙🌻🕯️🕊️

[Iggo]

39. Nazis are generous.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

60. Nazis support their own

[Cha]

41. A racist and a bigot. Way to intentially

Insult someone with your Bigotry, Franco.

Have fun with your stupid, dirty "money".

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21308884

💔☮️💙 🌻🕯️🕊️

[NNadir]

42. I wonder if this is a legacy kid. He doesn't strike me as particularly bright.

I mean it's one thing to be doxxed - which he surely deserves - but another to double down on line.

I assume he has a trust fund because getting a job is going to be problematic for the rest of his life, although if Magat types stay in power he could probably get a job in the orange Pedophile’s cabinet.

[karynnj]

46. That was my thought reading the op - how did someone so dumb get into Cornell?

Not to mention his studies are in industrial and labor relations. One would think those fields require excellent people skills, which he just demonstrated he does not have.

As he likely has made getting getting future internships, jobs etc much harder, I hope he enjoyed the initial rush of attention. It seems he already whining about the consequences, ignoring that he was the one who outed himself as a bigot. I can't believe he then thought it a good idea to talk to the campus newspaper.

[wishstar]

48. He aced his courses as freshman at Virginia Tech before transferring to Cornell

He reportedly had several prestigious academic accomplishments before his sophomore year at Cornell.

He may figure that if Stephen Miller and Elon Musk can have powerful positions, he can too.

[karynnj]

49. It could be that the culture of Trump, Miller et al gives him and others permission

to think he can act this way without consequence. It could also be that while very intelligent, he is very bad on interpersonal skills.

[Tim S]

52. Well, it's more honest to be upfront with your prejudices.

It makes it easier for folks to avoid such people.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

62. Stephen Miller may be looing for another Nazi for the trump administration