MSU Student Arrested for Antisemitic Slur During Dave Portnoy Pizza Review

As Dave Portnoy filmed an outdoor episode of his “One Bite” pizza review, a man later identified as Patrick McClintock stepped into frame and began shouting. The video captured him using an explicit antisemitic slur — “F— the Jews” — while telling Portnoy, “F— you, Dave” and “Get the f— out of Starkville.” Witnesses and Portnoy’s security intervened and the crew recorded the confrontation.

Video also shows coins being thrown in Portnoy’s direction, an act officials and commentators noted echoes an old antisemitic trope. Media reports and police statements reference the footage as the basis for immediate investigation and public condemnation; original coverage is available from Fox News, CBS News and the video.

Starkville police launched an investigation after the footage circulated widely online. Authorities obtained a misdemeanor warrant charging McClintock with disturbing the peace. He was arrested, processed and released pending further review, according to police statements reported by media outlets Fox News and others.

Investigators are weighing whether to recommend bias-motivated sentencing enhancements under Mississippi law, which can increase penalties when crimes are driven by prejudice. Police stressed that while offensive speech can be protected, conduct that threatens safety or disrupts public events will be investigated and, when warranted, prosecuted.

Mississippi State University said McClintock voluntarily withdrew on November 10 amid public fallout. University officials indicated he likely faced campus disciplinary proceedings — potentially including expulsion — had he remained enrolled. The school cited privacy rules in declining to release detailed disciplinary records but affirmed it was taking the matter seriously.

Portnoy, who is Jewish, addressed the harassment in social media posts and a television interview, noting a “definitive shift” in the frequency and severity of antisemitic incidents. He said, Imagine hating somebody just because of their religion in this f—ing country, and urged the Jewish community not to accept such incidents as normal or harmless (CBS News).

Media reporting has placed the episode within wider concerns about a rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States, citing data from organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and interviews with affected communities (CBS News).

Legal analysts emphasize the tension between protected speech and criminal conduct. Mississippi prosecutors must determine whether McClintock’s language and actions — including tossing coins toward a person and shouting threats in public — crossed the threshold into disorderly conduct or other criminal behavior.

The possible bias-motivated enhancement is being considered because the language targeted an individual’s religion, which under state law can elevate penalties if prosecutors recommend it. Local law enforcement said they will consult with prosecutors before any charging enhancements are filed.

Portnoy’s crew recorded the confrontation and posted it online, where it spread quickly. The video’s reach helped identify McClintock and generated tips to police, illustrating how public livestreaming and social media can accelerate investigations and have immediate consequences for education and reputation.

News organizations nationwide covered the episode, with reporting that ranged from factual accounts of the arrest to analysis of the wider trend in public harassment targeting Jewish people and other minority groups. Social media responses included broad condemnation, calls for accountability, and debate over free speech limits and campus discipline.

Viral incidents can harm local businesses and tourism by creating reputational risk. Starkville’s restaurants, hotels and shops — which rely on visitors — may confront concerns about safety and civility. How local leaders enforce law and order can influence customer perceptions.

In rural, moderate conservative communities the episode sharpens tensions between defending free speech and preserving public order. Decisions about bias-motivated enhancements could shape views on fairness, campus discipline and how off-campus conduct is handled by universities and prosecutors.

Targeting a Jewish public figure in a college town reverberates beyond Starkville. Incidents of targeted hate can fracture community bonds and prompt calls for civic education, tolerance initiatives and programs addressing respect and responsibility.

The gesture of throwing coins and the antisemitic slur draw on a long history of prejudice that many rural communities may not expect to confront. For some readers the episode highlights broader cultural concerns and the impact of national media on local life.

Officials advise residents to call law enforcement if safety is threatened, document incidents safely, and coordinate with university and city leaders on prevention and response. Parents and students are reminded that off-campus behavior — when recorded and shared — can affect education and employment.

Follow developments: Key sources and the primary video are available from Fox News, CBS News and the original video. Local leaders and law enforcement say the investigation is ongoing and any additional charges will be announced by Starkville police or Mississippi prosecutors.

Note: Legal proceedings and university disciplinary actions may evolve. This article will be updated if prosecutors file additional charges or the university releases more information about disciplinary steps.