Nathan Cofnas university dispute
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Nathan Cofnas, who accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, was suspended by Ghent University. The suspension stems from his views on race and discrimination allegations.
Background
Nathan Cofnas, a self-described 'race realist', had previously been dismissed from Cambridge's Emmanuel College in 2024 over blog posts arguing that in a meritocracy 'blacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment.' He later accused the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, sparking a scandal that led to Arday's resignation and death. Ghent University suspended Cofnas as a precautionary measure pending a preliminary disciplinary investigation into discrimination allegations.
How it unfolded
- 2024Cofnas was dismissed from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, over his views on race and DEI.
- Aug 2026Cofnas publicly accused Jason Arday of plagiarism, leading to a scandal and Arday's resignation.
- Aug 14, 2026Jason Arday was found dead.
- Aug 20, 2026Ghent University suspended Cofnas as a precautionary measure pending a preliminary disciplinary investigation into discrimination allegations.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Ghent University said it suspended Cofnas 'as a precautionary measure' pending a preliminary disciplinary investigation, without detailing reasons.
- Cofnas
- Cofnas wrote on X: 'I was just suspended by Ghent University. They will almost certainly fire me.'
- Students
- Students at Cambridge alleged Cofnas endorsed 'the logic of a eugenicist' and encouraged 'discriminatory and bigoted rhetoric'.
- Support
- The Free Speech Union supported Cofnas's lawsuit against Emmanuel College, raising over £85,000 for his legal fight.
Still unverified
Cofnas's claim that he will 'almost certainly' be fired is his own prediction, not confirmed by the university.