Duke Graduating Class Stages Walkout During Jerry Seinfeld’s Commencement Address

The pro-Palestine protests on American university campuses have frequently drifted into the realm of antisemitism or even outright defense of Hamas terrorists.

This trend was on full display at Duke University in North Carolina, where Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld had been invited to deliver the commencement address for the graduating class.

DISGUSTING: Pro-Hamas students walk out of graduation ceremony at DUKE to protest Jewish speaker and world-renowned comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

Are they "pro-Hamas" or is this really about being anti-semitic? pic.twitter.com/ou9xf8aVbM

— DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) May 12, 2024

As The Hill reported:

Dozens of students walked out of the Duke University commencement ceremony ahead of Jerry Seinfeld’s scheduled speech Sunday, apparently in protest of the Jewish comedian’s support for Israel, according to news reports and videos circulated on social media.

As Seinfeld received his honorary degree, before beginning his commencement speech, the graduating students rose from their seats and walked out, waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free, free Palestine.” Some in the audience joined in support, but many audience members booed at the protesters and chanted “Jerry” repeatedly.

News of the disrespectful walkout soon began to spread online.

student walkout at Duke university commencement as Jerry Seinfeld’s speech is announced. his introduction by university president is being drowned out by “free free Palestine” chants ❤️‍🔥🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/oNLesaput3

— the great clown snorman (@iamschvitzing) May 12, 2024

Jerry Seinfeld was chosen as the commencement speaker at Duke University.

Seinfeld is an American Jew – who as far as I know doesn't sit on Israel's war cabinet, serve in the IDF, or have absolutely anything to do with the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

That didn’t… pic.twitter.com/4tvxuwomCp

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 12, 2024

If you can’t handle a speech from Jerry Seinfeld, your college has failed to prepare you for the real world. pic.twitter.com/YZJjFdjdV7

— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) May 12, 2024

Although Seinfeld has previously expressed support for Israel after the unprovoked terrorist attacks last year, his speech at Duke shied away from any of those hot-button issues.

According to Yahoo:

The walk out reflected ongoing tensions on America’s college campuses, which have seen a wave of protests and on-campus occupations which resulted in nearly 2,900 arrests at 57 institutions.

After the demonstration at Duke and things seemed to have settled down, Seinfeld was able to deliver what was a characteristically uncontroversial routine.

“After spending four years at what is considered one of the finest institutions of higher education in the world, they apparently feel that perhaps some light entertainment will get you all to the final realization, ‘You know, I think I’ve really had enough of this place,’” he joked.

Here’s a clip from his speech:

This is the problem with the media. The focus on a small handful of students walking out on Jerry Seinfeld’s speech has completely obscured any coverage of the actual speech, which is excellent, completely apolitical, and full of gems all young people need to hear.

Here it is in… pic.twitter.com/sgag2aQEHJ

— Ali A. Rizvi (@aliamjadrizvi) May 12, 2024

The incident occurred just days after Seinfeld addressed how he believes the far-left woke crowd has essentially ruined comedy.