Prominent conservative commentator Nick Freitas told a Cornell University audience that he would have physically disciplined his own son if he had been involved in the alleged gang rape at the center of the "Cornell 7" lawsuit.
Freitas, a former Virginia state lawmaker and combat veteran, made the remarks Wednesday night during an appearance organized by the Cornell Republicans and the Young America's Foundation. The event focused on the sexual assault allegations that have drawn significant attention to the Ivy League campus.
"If I had found out that my son participated in that, and my son had come back and said, 'Oh, Dad, it's okay. It was consensual,' I'd have beat him," Freitas told the crowd. "No, your job in that role, son, would've been to stop it."
The lawsuit, filed by a former Cornell student identified as Jane Doe, accuses seven men of participating in an alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the university's handling of sexual misconduct complaints.
Freitas used the controversy to argue that society has become too permissive regarding consent, particularly when alcohol or drugs are involved. He suggested that intoxication should be considered equally for all parties when assessing consent.
"With consent or without consent, I found what happened to be atrocious," Freitas said, expressing his dismay at the accusations. He further argued that modern attitudes toward casual sex have diminished the seriousness with which society treats sexual relationships, questioning the strong reaction to sexual violence if sex itself is increasingly viewed as inconsequential.
When asked by a member of the Cornell Republicans about the university's decision to suspend fraternity parties and social events for the remainder of the academic year, Freitas stated that while he respected Cornell's right to set its own rules, he cautioned against implementing group punishments.
"Arbitrary rules invite rebellion," Freitas explained. "So too do arbitrary punishments."
Another student, Andrew Liu, suggested to The Cornell Daily Sun that many students who protested may not have fully read the police report related to the case and might hold different views if they had.
Freitas also commented on societal views of sex, suggesting it has been "cheapened" and should be considered sacred within marriage, the institution for which he believes it was intended, particularly for procreation.
