A fundraising campaign launched in support of a Cornell University student who sparked outrage after refusing a job opportunity because the employer was Jewish has raised nearly $20,000, fueling fresh debate over antisemitism and online crowdfunding.

The controversy began when Austin Franco, a Cornell student, declined an interview with New York startup VrfyID after learning its founders were Jewish. In a message sent through the Handshake recruiting platform, Franco wrote that he was “not interested in working for a Jew,” prompting widespread condemnation and an investigation by Cornell University.

Despite the backlash, a crowdfunding campaign was later organized by far-right YouTuber Miles Routledge, known online as “Lord Miles.” The fundraiser quickly attracted thousands of dollars from supporters, with the organizer describing the effort as backing Franco after he became the focus of national criticism.

The campaign has drawn criticism from Jewish organizations and civil rights advocates, who argue that financially rewarding discriminatory behavior sends a dangerous message at a time of rising concerns about antisemitism on college campuses. Others have defended the fundraiser as support for free speech, further intensifying the public debate.

Cornell University previously stated that it condemns antisemitism and all forms of discrimination and referred the incident to its Office of Civil Rights for review under university policy. At the time of the fundraiser, the university had not announced any disciplinary outcome.

The case has continued to attract national attention, raising broader questions about hate speech, accountability, campus culture, and the role of online fundraising platforms in supporting individuals at the center of highly controversial incidents.