The NYU Student Government Assembly Executive Committee expressed "profound disappointment" that internationally renowned social psychologist Jonathan Haidt had been selected as the keynote speaker for the university's all-university commencement ceremony. In a statement, the committee asked the administration to "reconsider" the selection and described Haidt's scheduled appearance as "deeply unsettling." Despite these objections, Haidt delivered his address on Thursday, marking this an unsuccessful deplatforming attempt.
Haidt, a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, has authored several bestselling books including "The Coddling of the American Mind" and "The Anxious Generation," the latter of which spent over a year on international bestseller lists. His work has influenced policy discussions around youth mental health and campus culture. NYU officials declined to reverse the speaking invitation.
What the Left Is Saying
Student government representatives wrote that they were troubled by Haidt's public positions on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, accusing him of promoting "disturbing rhetoric around antiracism, social justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion." The statement noted particular concern over his suggestion that the abolition of DEI programs may be necessary to address ideological capture at universities.
"Many students have reported feelings of disappointment, disgust, unenthusiasm, defeat, and embarrassment," the student committee stated. Critics argued that Haidt's record on transgender identity issues and comments about LGBTQ+ students represented a threat to campus inclusivity. Some progressive student organizations echoed these concerns, arguing that giving a prominent platform to someone with such views undermines the university's commitment to supporting marginalized communities.
What the Right Is Saying
Supporters of Haidt's selection emphasized his credentials as a leading social psychologist whose research has influenced parenting practices and educational policy nationwide. His advocates pointed to concrete examples of positive impact, including NYU's own "IRL" (In Real Life) initiative that created device-free spaces on campus to encourage face-to-face interaction.
Defenders noted that Haidt's mental health research has been credited with inspiring real-world changes in how schools approach smartphone use and social media. Conservative commentators argued that the deplatforming attempt itself represented a threat to free expression and intellectual diversity on campuses, with some characterizing student objections as an example of ideological rigidity rather than legitimate academic concerns.
What the Numbers Show
According to data from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), campus deplatforming attempts had surpassed 100 for the year as of May 7, 2026. FIRE's Campus Deplatforming Database tracks these incidents across higher education institutions.
In the first quarter of 2026, 65 of 70 deplatforming attempts succeeded, representing a success rate above 90 percent, according to Sean Stevens, FIRE's chief research advisor. "A successful attempt signals that those safeguards are eroding," Stevens said in comments reported by RealClearEducation. "If nearly all deplatforming efforts are now succeeding, then the problem is not simply that controversial events are being challenged."
FIRE survey data indicates Gen Z is roughly 10 times more accepting of using violence to prevent speech than Baby Boomers, and more than 25 times more so than the Silent Generation. Approximately 43 percent of Gen Z respondents refused to endorse the view that violence against speakers is never acceptable.
The NYU deplatforming attempt was among the minority that failed in early 2026. Haidt's keynote address proceeded as scheduled despite student government objections.
The Bottom Line
The failed NYU deplatforming effort highlights ongoing tensions over free expression and institutional autonomy at American universities. While this particular speaker selection survived scrutiny, FIRE data suggests most such attempts succeed, indicating institutional safeguards may be weakening under pressure from organized student opposition.
Haidt's address focused on the importance of real-world connections and face-to-face interaction, themes consistent with his published work on youth mental health. What happens next will likely depend on whether universities across the country follow NYU's precedent in maintaining controversial speaker selections, or revert to the pattern FIRE documents where pressure campaigns succeed in removing invited guests.