DURHAM, NC—Comedian Jerry Seinfeld faced a mixed reaction during his commencement speech at Duke University’s Wallace Wade Stadium. As Seinfeld, a well-known supporter of Israel, was introduced, dozens of students protested by walking out, some chanting “free Palestine” and carrying Palestinian flags.
The protest occurred against a backdrop of Seinfeld’s vocal support for Israel, particularly following attacks by Hamas on Israeli residential areas on October 7. The student walkout sparked further reactions from the audience, with reports of boos directed at the protesters and chants in support of Seinfeld resonating through the stadium.
Alanna Peykar, a witness at the event, noted that the media coverage did not fully capture the audience’s strong support for Seinfeld post-walkout. “After they walked out— and by the way, it’s only 40 students—the entire stadium started booing them and eventually started chanting Jerry’s name, clearly in support of him being our commencement speaker,” Peykar stated to Fox News during an interview.