Overview

• Kehlani was disinvited from performing at Cornell's annual Slope Day concert following backlash from Jewish and pro-Israel students over her past remarks and social media posts.
• President Michael Kotlikoff stated the decision was made to prioritize community unity and student safety at the high-profile campus event.
• Kehlani’s comments, including calls to 'dismantle Israel' and support for 'intifada,' were deemed divisive and inconsistent with the event’s purpose of fostering inclusivity.
• The controversy comes as Cornell faces a $1 billion federal funding freeze tied to a civil rights investigation into campus antisemitism by the Trump administration.
• Cornell has pledged to revise its performer selection process and will announce a new headliner for the May 7 event in the coming days.