Trump Calls Cornell a ‘Fine School’ Amid Alleged Gang Rape Case

President Donald Trump has commented on the sexual-assault allegations involving Cornell University, saying the Ivy League school is “a fine school” while acknowledging that he does not know much about the case.

Trump was asked by reporters Thursday whether Cornell had done enough to investigate allegations involving a former student and members of the university’s Chi Phi fraternity.

“Well, I don’t know that much about it,” Trump said. “But Cornell’s a fine school, and I’m sure they’ll do what’s right.”

The case centers on a civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell student identified as Jane Doe. She alleges that she was pressured into taking ketamine and sexually assaulted for hours at a fraternity house party in Ithaca, New York, on October 19, 2024. She was 20 at the time.

The lawsuit names Cornell, the Chi Phi fraternity and seven male students as defendants. The allegations have not resulted in criminal arrests, and attorneys representing several of the accused have denied criminal wrongdoing.

The controversy has also renewed questions about Cornell’s handling of the allegations. Cornell says it conducted a Title IX investigation after the woman reported the incident to university police in November 2024. The university has disputed claims that those involved received only minimal punishment, saying that such a characterization is inaccurate.

According to reporting on the case, Cornell expelled two of the accused students, while others received different disciplinary outcomes. The university has also said that the Chi Phi chapter was closed and remains barred from campus.

Meanwhile, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has announced that the criminal investigation is being reopened. His office is preparing the case for possible presentation to a grand jury. No criminal charges had been filed as of the latest reports.

Trump’s comments came as scrutiny surrounding the university continues to grow. His statement did not address the allegations in detail, and he emphasized that he was not fully familiar with the case.

The civil lawsuit and any potential criminal proceedings remain ongoing.

What do you think about Trump’s response?