A Cornell University student who refused a startup internship because he said he was “not interested in working for a Jew” is now at the center of a crowdfunding effort to help him recover his reputation and professional prospects. Within days, the campaign on GiveSendGo had raised more than $20,000. It was launched under the title, “Fund Austin Franco after Jewish doxxing,” and the page said his “career and financial future are on the line” and asked donors to help “a good Christian man.”
The fundraiser was started by an English YouTuber linked to the far right and previously associated with racist remarks. The controversy began after the 19-year-old turned down an interview for an internship at VryflD, a New York startup co-founded by brothers Gabe and Aiden Einhorn, after learning the founders were Jewish, according to the New York Post. The brothers posted a screenshot of his reply, in which he wrote, “Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks.”
Gabe Einhorn said he initially blacked out Franco’s name because he “felt bad” exposing him, but he and his brother decided to publish the message to draw attention to rising antisemitism. “We’ve never experienced antisemitism so directly,” he said. Despite the attempt to obscure his identity, users quickly identified Franco online, prompting a media and social media backlash.
Franco later stood by his message and replied to Einhorn, “I’m sure if you said you did not want to work for a white person or a Christian, it would not cause a stir.” He then said his experiences with Jews had been “not pleasant,” both in person and online, though he acknowledged that some had been positive. He also argued that the Einhorns and the Jewish community, by posting his response, exposing his personal details and investigating his private life, had validated his concerns that Jews do not act politely or fairly in business. Cornell is investigating the case, and Franco’s now-deleted LinkedIn profile said he was originally from Virginia.
