Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech spurs student walkout at Duke University

During Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech at Duke University, a group of Pro-Palestinian student protesters staged a walkout to oppose his appearance.

As comedian Jerry Seinfeld took the stage at a commencement ceremony at North Carolina’s Duke University on Sunday, several pro-Palestinian student protesters staged a walkout in their caps and gowns.

Seinfeld, who received an honorary degree, was being introduced by school president Vincent Price when both booing and cheering sounded from the commencement crowd. According to video from the incident, some students stood from their seats and exited the university’s football stadium carrying Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free, free Palestine.”

The 70-year-old comedian, who is Jewish, has been an ongoing supporter of Israel. He was one of 700 Hollywood figures to sign an open letter condemning Hamas and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people.

Gaza’s health ministry on Sunday reported the death toll in Israel’s military operation in Gaza has now passed 35,000 people, most of them women and children.

Seinfeld did not acknowledge the protests in his speech. He kept the subject matter light and offered advice to the 2024 graduates — and even apologized for the “sexual undertones” in his 2007 animated film Bee Movie. 

Many students stayed to hear Seinfeld’s speech. Some in the crowd cheered for the comic and chanted his name in support.

Local news station WRAL-TV reported Seinfeld encouraged graduates to live by three tenets, “Work hard, pay attention, fall in love.”