Austin Franco, a Cornell University student who drew widespread attention after refusing a job interview with a New York City startup over antisemitic beliefs, has been asked to leave his parents’ home in Virginia. The incident, which gained traction on social media in June, returned to public view this week when Franco announced on X (formerly Twitter) that his parents were evicting him.
Franco, 19, a rising junior at Cornell, had publicly stated he would not work for a Jewish-led company, specifically rejecting a role at VryfID, founded by brothers Gabe and Aiden Einhorn. Following the backlash, Franco initiated a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo, where he has so far raised more than $7,000 in addition to approximately $25,000 from a previous fundraiser. He indicated that he would be forced to move out of his family’s $1.75 million residence on August 1, seeking financial support and advice to manage his transition.
His parents, Alexander and Diana Franco, both professionals residing in a Virginia suburb about 30 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., have publicly disavowed their son's views and actions. Alexander Franco, a Cornell alumnus and patent lawyer, and Diana, a senior product manager for a banking regulatory association, described their son's conduct as "morally repugnant" and attributed it to negative online influences. They emphasized that these extremist views do not reflect their family’s beliefs.
“We have seen our adult son fall under the influence of extremist online content,” the Francos said in a joint statement. “We love our son very much and are doing everything we can to counter the online influences that have afflicted him.”
Austin Franco, however, rejected the notion that his views were solely shaped by online content, asserting that real-life experiences contributed to his outlook. When asked how he felt about losing access to his family home, he did not provide a definitive response but confirmed he planned to move to an apartment near Cornell’s campus in Ithaca, New York.
Despite the controversy, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff confirmed that Franco remains enrolled at the university. Kotlikoff condemned the antisemitic remarks made by Franco but affirmed the institution’s decision not to expel him.
Experts, such as psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman, who has studied terrorism and radicalization, note that individuals like Franco may view themselves as martyrs for their beliefs, reflecting a troubling normalization of antisemitism in some circles.
Franco told reporters he harbors no regret for his statements, asserting his right to freedom of speech. “If I were to die today, I would at least know that I did so believing in myself,” he said, underscoring his continued embrace of the controversial stance that led to his public scrutiny and familial estrangement.