Cornell student’s antisemitic message for Jewish-owned startup sparks outrage
Cornell University is investigating after a student allegedly declined an internship opportunity at a Jewish-owned startup with an antisemitic response.
The student, identified as Austin Franco, is accused of rejecting an interview with New York City-based company VryfID after learning that its co-founders are Jewish. According to the company’s founders, Gabe and Aiden Einhorn, Franco replied, “Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks.”
VryfID, founded by the Einhorn brothers, is a startup focused on helping connect renters and landlords while verifying identities in an effort to reduce fraud. The company had reached out to Franco as part of its efforts to recruit college students, whom the founders say are an important part of the company’s growth.
In a message to Franco, Aiden Einhorn wrote that he had missed a scheduled call but remained interested in speaking with him about the business and its mission. He noted that college students are a vital part of helping VryfID expand and added that, as a rising senior at NYU Stern, he sees fellow students as central to the startup’s success.
The reported exchange has sparked outrage and renewed concern about antisemitism on college campuses. On Fox News’ “Outnumbered,” panelists described the alleged remark as shocking and pointed to it as another example of growing hate and discrimination in academic settings.
The discussion also turned to the broader question of where such prejudices are taking root, with panelists arguing that both parents and educational institutions have a responsibility to confront intolerance before it becomes normalized among young people.
