Piers Morgan engaged in a heated exchange with Austin Franco, a 19-year-old Cornell University student, after Franco stated he refused an internship interview because the startup had Jewish owners. The interview, broadcast on Morgan's show 'Uncensored,' saw Franco double down on his views, leading Morgan to label him as "thick" and "anti-Semitic."
Franco initially sparked outrage when he declined an interview for an internship last month, citing his unwillingness to work for Jewish individuals. Despite the backlash, Franco did not apologize and reiterated his stance during the television interview. He explained his position by stating he had "bad experiences with Jews" and disagreed with fellow students regarding the Middle East conflict.
Morgan questioned Franco's generalization, asking why he would hold all 15 million Jewish people responsible based on limited interactions. Franco responded that while he had positive experiences with Jewish people, he had enough negative ones to avoid them, asserting, "I don't think there is anything wrong with that."
The Cornell student further compared his views on Jewish people to potential negative opinions about "Asians or midgets," an analogy Morgan dismissed as "ridiculous." Franco contended that a statement against the "midget community" would be seen as merely being an "a--hole," implying the reaction to his anti-Semitic remarks was disproportionate.
Morgan pressed Franco on his lack of remorse, highlighting that the student's refusal to apologize or express regret indicated a genuine anti-Semitic sentiment. "The problem, Austin, it’s not that you said something immature or stupid or anything like that because had you then said: 'I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it. I don’t mean the way it came across,' but it’s the opposite with you," Morgan stated. "You do mean it. You don’t want to be around any Jewish people, that’s 15 million Jewish people, so therefore, you are de facto anti-Semitic."
The broadcaster expressed dismay at Franco's apparent lack of education and understanding, questioning how he developed such views. "And what’s allowed you to develop this mindset where you’re prepared to just come on a camera like this in an interview watched by millions of people and just brazenly say, 'I don’t want to be anywhere near Jewish people,'" Morgan asked. He emphasized Franco's failure to grasp the "enormity" of his statements and his absence of remorse, shame, or guilt.
Morgan concluded the interview by branding Franco an "antisemite and you’re a hypocrite." He warned that potential future employers would see the interview and decide if Franco possessed the values they sought in their companies. "Good luck with that," Morgan added.