The Economic Times: Cornell Student Says University Took No Action in AIM Undercover Video
July 26, 2026
Cornell student Austin Franco says university took no action after he rejected Jewish boss, claims controversy left him with $25,000 in donations
By Trending Desk, ET Online | Last Updated: Jul 26, 2026, 08:49:00 AM IST
Cornell University student Austin Franco sparked outrage for openly refusing to work for a New York City startup because its founder was Jewish. But now, the fallout has had an unexpected outcome. According to Franco, the controversy not only failed to result in disciplinary action from Cornell but also brought him thousands of dollars in donations.
The claims surfaced in an undercover investigation by Accuracy in Media, a nonprofit organization, whose investigator posed as someone sympathetic to Franco’s views to gain his trust. During the conversation, Franco discussed the backlash, Cornell’s response, and why he believes the controversy ultimately benefited him, reports The New York Post.