Duke University Students Walk Out on Jerry Seinfeld Commencement Speech, Chant 'Free Palestine'

Over the weekend, Jessica Seinfeld took to Instagram to commend her husband, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, for his "amazing" Duke University Class of 2024 commencement speech. The comic, who is Jewish and serves as a co-chair of the university's Parents Committee, was met with a small group of anti-Israel protesters as he took the stage to deliver his remarks to a crowd of over 7,000 people.

Protester's Interruption

During the commencement speech, a few dozen protesters decided to walk out of their seats, chanting "Free Palestine" as they made their way out of the venue. Videos of the incident show the rest of the Duke audience responding by loudly chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" and cheering for the comedian. Despite the interruption, Seinfeld managed to deliver his speech without further disruptions. The protesters were subsequently drowned out by the audience's support for the comedian.

Following the interruption, Jessica Seinfeld expressed her gratitude for the audience's support, stating, "They were booed by the crowd and then the stadium chanted ‘Jer-ry!’ Jerry's speech was amazing and the grads and their parents gave him a standing ovation."

Seinfeld's Message to Graduates

Seinfeld shared his "three real keys to life" during the 16-minute speech. He encouraged the new graduates to work hard, pay attention, and fall in love. Emphasizing the importance of perseverance, he urged the graduates to continue trying even if they face failure. Additionally, he advised them to question risks and appreciate the small things in life. In a subtle critique of wokeism, Seinfeld addressed the concept of privilege, defending it by sharing his personal experiences growing up Jewish in New York and attending Duke University.

Seinfeld highlighted the privilege of attending Duke University and expressed his dismay at the current negative perceptions associated with certain privileges.

Duke University's Reputation

Reflecting on the university's status, Jessica Seinfeld shared her admiration for Duke University, emphasizing its appeal to students and alumni alike. She expressed pride in being a part of the Duke community, using the hashtag #ForeverDuke to convey her sentiment.

Experts have previously noted Duke's emergence as a top U.S. university, attracting students who would be Ivy League contenders if not for certain factors related to far-left campus protests. Despite these challenges, the university continues to maintain its reputation as an esteemed institution.