‘Diversity hire’ Harvard president Claudine Gay plagiarized PhD dissertation: report

Rufo and Brunet reported unequivocally that Gay's dissertation in defense of her doctoral degree "Taking Charge: Black Electoral Success and the Redefinition of American Policies," published in 1997, "contains at least three problematic patterns of usage and citation." They found that her disertation lifted "an entire paragraph nearly verbatim" from a previous paper from authors Lawrence Bobo and Franklin Gilliam called "Race, Sociopolitical Participation, and Black Empowerment."

"Shocker," Elon Musk replied to Rufo.

Rufo and Brunet note that while she cites those authors and their paper, "she uses their verbatim language, with a few trivial synonym substitutions, without providing quotation marks." This, they say, violates Harvard's policy on plagiarism, as doees her further use of language from Richard Shingles, Susan Howell, and Deborah Fagan, as well as additional material from Dr. Carol Swain, and Gary King.

Swain responded to the allegations that Gay had plagiarized her work, saying "I just learned of @realchrisrufo analysis of #ClaudineGay’s work and the allegations of plagiarism. I have not read the articles or books in question. However, two things come to mind: imitation is said to be the highest form of flattery and secondly Dr. Gay’s committee, reviewers, and colleagues should have caught these alleged transgressions. I will issue a statement after I have more information. Right now it seem like she is a victim of the 'Adversity of Diversity.'"

This, Rufo shows, is a further violation of Harvard's policy against "verbatim plagiarism." He calls for an investigation into Gay's work by Harvard's Board of Overseers and for Gay to resign, or be voted out by the board.

Bill Ackman, a major Harvard donor who has spoken out against Gay and the antisemitism at the school said that he had spoken to a senior faculty member at the school who said that yes, the allegation of plagiarism were "credible." Earlier in the week, Bill Ackman claimed that Gay was a "diversity hire," saying that he "learned from someone with first-person knowledge of the Harvard president search that the committee would not consider a candidate who did not meet the DEI office’s criteria."

She testified before Congress on Tuesday and was asked by Rep. Elise Stefanik "you are president of Harvard so I assume you are familiar with the term 'Intifada,' correct?" Gay confirmed she'd heard the term.

"And you understand that the use of the term 'intifada' in the context of the Israeli-Arab conflict is indeed a call for violent armed resistance against the State of Israel, including violence against civilians and the genocide of Jews. Are you aware of that?" Stefanik asked.

"That type of hateful speech is personally abhorrent to me," Gay said.

"And there have been multiple marches at Harvard with student chanting 'There is only one solution. Intifada revolution' and 'Globalize the Intifada,' is that correct?" Stefanik asked, referencing the numberous anti-Israel marches, rallies and protests that have taken place on he Harvard campus following the brutal massacre of Israelis by Hamas on October 7.

"I’ve heard that thoughtless, reckless, and hateful language on our campus, yes," Gay said.

"So based upon your testimony, you understand that this call for intifada is to commit genocide against the Jewish people in Israel and globally, correct?" Stefanik asked.

Gay refused to answer the question, saying "I will say again, that type of hateful speech is personally abhorrent to me."

Do you believe that type of hateful speech is contrary to Harvard’s Code of Conduct or is it allowed at Harvard?" Stefanik pressed.

"It is at odds with the values of Harvard," Gay waffled.

"Can you not say here that it is against the Code of Conduct at Harvard?" Stefanik asked.

We embrace a commitment to free expression even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful - it’s when that speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies against bullying, harassment, intimidation…" Gay said.

"Does that speech not cross that barrier? Does that speech not call for the genocide of Jews and the elimination of Israel? You testified that you understand that that is the definition of “intifada.” Is that speech according to the Code of Conduct or not?" Stefanik asked.

"We embrace a commitment to free expression and give a wide berth to free expression even of views that are objectionable, outrageous and offensive," Gay said.

"You and I both know that that is not the case," Stefanik said. "You are aware that Harvard ranked dead last when it came to free speech, are you not aware of that report?"

"As I’ve observed earlier," Gay said, "I reject that characterization of our campus.'

Gay later apologized for her remarks and refusal to condemn antisemitism or calls for a Jewish genocide, telling the school newspaper "I am sorry. Words matter. When words amplify distress and pain, I don't know how you could feel anything but regret."

Gay claimed that she "got caught up in what had become at that point, an extended, combative exchange about policies and procedures."

University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill testified in a similar manner and later resigned under pressure as a result of her remarks.