In a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from many, Andrew Dudum, founder and CEO of telehealth and online pharmacy Hims, took to social media last Wednesday to voice his support for anti-Israel protesters on college campuses.
His comments stand in stark contrast to the views expressed by other prominent executives who have condemned the antisemitic demonstrations and suggested that those involved may find themselves unemployable.
Dudum’s post on X praised the protesters for their “moral courage” and assured them that companies like his would be “eager to hire” them, regardless of their academic discipline.
He even went so far as to provide a link to the Hims careers page, seemingly inviting the protesters to apply for positions within his company.
Moral courage > College degree
If you’re currently protesting against the genocide of the Palestinian people & for your university’s divestment from Israel, keep going. It’s working.
There are plenty of companies & CEOs eager to hire you, regardless of university discipline.…
— andrewdudum (@AndrewDudum) May 1, 2024
The response from the business community was swift and critical.
Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir Technologies and managing partner of venture capital firm 8VC, took issue with Dudum’s characterization of the protests as an act of “moral courage.”
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In a reply to Dudum’s post, Lonsdale argued that “real moral courage doesn’t involve joining a mindless mob, chanting anti-US and other woke pablum, following instructions not to debate or discuss your positions at all yet being indignantly righteous, while large numbers in the mob chant for violence and block Jewish students.”
Lonsdale’s sentiments echo those of other prominent business leaders, including billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and Palantir co-founder and CEO Alex Karp.
In the wake of a recent terror attack by Hamas on Israel, Ackman criticized Harvard student groups that placed the sole blame on Israel and suggested that the names of students in those groups should be made public to prevent CEOs from “inadvertently” hiring them.
Karp, meanwhile, has spoken out in support of “Western values” like transparency, fairness, and the protection of civil liberties, and has warned of the dangers posed by the “thin and highly destructive religion” being embraced by some elite students.
Supporting terror doesn't pay.
Hims and Hers – an online sexual health and pharmaceutical company – lost $210 million in stock value after CEO Andrew Dudum said he is ‘eager’ to hire anti-Israel protesters. pic.twitter.com/lJWldqPJ8r
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 5, 2024
Palantir has even gone so far as to launch an initiative to support students fleeing antisemitism on college campuses, offering them the opportunity to join the company as University Fellows.
The program, which was initially met with skepticism, has since proven its necessity in light of the “historical levels of hate and antisemitism plaguing our universities,” according to a recent post by the company on X.
As for Dudum and Hims, the consequences of his controversial stance remain to be seen.
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With public opinion heavily against the anti-Israel protesters and the company’s stock already taking a significant hit, it remains to be seen whether Dudum will recant his statement and apologize or risk further damage to his business.
