Ole Miss victim’s mother criticizes Alaina Kunes’s withdrawal after viral racist video

Key points

• Alaina Kunes, 18, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, withdrew from the University of Mississippi less than three months after enrolling, following a viral video showing her and another woman making racist gestures outside a Black student’s apartment on November 6.
• Kunes issued an apology through her attorney, stating her actions were 'insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful,' but insisted she did not intentionally target the residents based on race and was unaware of their identity at the time.
• The mother of Jakiyra Metcalf, one of the Black students in the apartment, told CBS Mornings she 'hates' that Kunes withdrew, arguing that leaving the institution harms Kunes’s life trajectory and that the young woman should have faced the consequences on campus.
• Kunes’s family has received death threats and harassment since the video went viral, with over 12.5 million views on social media. Kunes asked for privacy and stated she intends to cooperate with the university’s investigation.
• Kunes is the granddaughter of Gregg Kunes, owner of Kunes Auto Group, which operates approximately 50 dealerships in the Midwest. The company stated Kunes has no affiliation with the business, and her father, Scott Kunes, resigned as chief operating officer in February 2026.
• The University of Mississippi’s vice chancellor for student affairs, Shawnboda Mead, condemned the behavior as 'deeply troubling' and confirmed an active investigation, while advising the campus to refrain from sharing unverified information about the individuals involved.

Background

The University of Mississippi has a history of racial incidents, including a noose hanging near a statue in 2014 and monkey noises directed at a Black protester during a demonstration in 2024. The current incident follows a pattern of racial harassment on campus, prompting renewed scrutiny of the university’s response to such behavior. The viral video, posted by Jakiyra Metcalf on TikTok on November 7, quickly gained national attention, leading to calls for accountability and a formal investigation by the university.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post highlighted the emotional response of the victim’s mother, who criticized Kunes’s withdrawal as harmful to the student’s development. ABC News and The Guardian focused on the university’s official response and the viral nature of the video, noting the 12.5 million views and the condemnation from university officials. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided additional context on Kunes’s family, clarifying that she has no employment or ownership ties to Kunes Auto Group, and noted that her father resigned from the company in February 2026. All sources agreed on the facts of the incident and Kunes’s withdrawal, but differed in emphasis: The Post centered on the victim’s family’s perspective, while the others focused on the institutional and legal aspects of the case.

Why it matters

The incident underscores ongoing tensions around racial harassment on college campuses and the public’s demand for accountability. The viral nature of the video and the subsequent backlash highlight the power of social media in shaping public discourse and institutional responses. The case also raises questions about the balance between privacy, safety, and accountability for students involved in such incidents, as well as the role of family connections in public perception.

What to watch

The University of Mississippi is expected to continue its investigation into the incident, with potential disciplinary actions for the remaining two students involved. Kunes’s family has requested privacy, and it is unclear if further legal or institutional actions will follow. The public response may continue to influence the university’s handling of the case, and the incident could lead to broader discussions about racial harassment and accountability on college campuses.