Kunes Auto Group Linked to Pattern of Racist Incidents Amid Ole Miss Viral Video

Key points

• Alaina Kunes, an 18-year-old Ole Miss student, was filmed making monkey noises and gestures outside an apartment occupied by Black students on November 6. The video has been viewed over 13 million times.
• Kunes withdrew from the university on November 10 and issued a statement calling her actions 'insensitive, inappropriate and deeply harmful,' claiming she was unaware of the residents' race. She is cooperating with the university's investigation.
• Although Kunes is not employed by Kunes Auto Group, her grandfather, Gregg Kunes, founded the company. Her father, Scott Kunes, resigned as COO in February 2025.
• The Journal Sentinel reports that Kunes Auto Group has been linked to two other incidents of alleged racism since 2025, including a racial slur on an oil change sticker and a dancing ape GIF sent to a customer.
• Employees involved in the earlier incidents were terminated. Makayla Starks, the victim of the sticker incident, filed a federal lawsuit in September 2026. Carolyn Word, the victim of the GIF, has not yet filed a lawsuit but retained the same attorney.

Background

This incident follows a series of earlier reports in November 2026 regarding the viral doorbell camera footage. Previous coverage noted that the affected students expressed mixed feelings about Kunes's withdrawal, with one victim's mother criticizing the move as harmful to Kunes's future. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi is also reviewing complaints related to the incident.

How outlets are covering it

The Journal Sentinel emphasizes the systemic nature of the allegations, linking the Ole Miss incident to a pattern of racism at Kunes Auto Group since 2025, including lawsuits and firings. The New York Times focuses primarily on the immediate viral reaction and the university's investigation, noting the millions of views and the demand for discipline, without detailing the broader corporate history of the Kunes family business.

Why it matters

The incident highlights how family ties to a major business can amplify public scrutiny of individual actions, even when the individual is not an employee. It also underscores the ongoing legal and reputational challenges faced by Kunes Auto Group due to alleged racial discrimination in customer interactions.

What to watch

Ole Miss University will continue its investigation into the incident. Alaina Kunes is expected to cooperate with the inquiry. In Wisconsin, the federal lawsuit filed by Makayla Starks will proceed, while Carolyn Word may decide whether to file a lawsuit against the dealership.