Swastika flag raised above NYU building named after billionaire Jewish causes donor during graduation week

A swastika flag was hoisted above New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development building on May 13, 2026, during the university’s Grad Alley event. The flag, which included the letters ‘NYU’ and the Star of David alongside the Nazi symbol, was spotted by hundreds of students and parents around 5 p.m. and quickly removed by campus safety officials. The building is named in honor of billionaire philanthropist Michael Steinhardt, who has donated $10 million to NYU and founded programs like Birthright Israel. Steinhardt, a Jewish donor, previously served on NYU’s board of trustees for 27 years before resigning in 2022 amid backlash over an antiquities scandal involving looted artifacts. NYU spokesperson Wiley Norvell condemned the incident, calling it ‘hateful’ and confirming collaboration with the NYPD to investigate. Students expressed shock, with senior Luca Pasquini describing the flag as ‘repulsive’ and nursing graduate Jiani Zou calling it ‘hurtful.’ The incident follows NYU’s 2024 settlement of a federal antisemitism lawsuit and renewed student calls to remove Steinhardt’s name from the building. Steinhardt, who has not commented on the flag, remains a polarizing figure at the university.