‼️ “THEY DID NOTHING WRONG!” — Jake Lang Wears Gorilla Mask Outside Black Ole Miss Students’ Apartment, Then Calls Women Accused of Racist Gestures “PATRIOTS” as University Condemns His Actions

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI — NOVEMBER 15, 2026

Three Black college students were already dealing with the aftermath of a disturbing encounter captured by their apartment’s doorbell camera. Then, just days later, a controversial political activist appeared outside what was reported to be their home wearing a gorilla mask.

And what happened next brought a new wave of national attention to the University of Mississippi.

Jake Lang, a right-wing activist previously involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, posted videos on November 11 showing himself wearing an ape mask and making monkey-like gestures outside an apartment reportedly occupied by three Black Ole Miss students.

Rather than condemning the earlier incident involving white women accused of making racist gestures, Lang publicly defended them, called them “patriots” and promoted a fundraiser supporting one of the women.

The university subsequently denounced the campus disruption, describing the individual’s behavior as racist and unacceptable.

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💔 It Started With a 13-Second Doorbell Video

The controversy began on November 6, when a Ring security camera captured three white women walking past an apartment shared by University of Mississippi students Jakiyra Metcalf, Victoria Johnson and Kaiyden Caldwell.

In the footage, two of the women appeared to look toward the camera, beat their chests and imitate monkey-like sounds and movements.

A third woman walked alongside them but did not visibly participate in the gestures.

The footage was posted on TikTok and quickly spread across social media, drawing millions of views.

For the Black students living inside the apartment, the encounter was deeply upsetting.

Monkey comparisons have a long history of being used to demean and dehumanize Black people.

The roommates said they confronted the women after receiving the Ring camera notification.

According to their account, one woman apologized, while another continued making similar gestures during the confrontation.

Speaking to CBS News, the students described the experience as hurtful and said they wanted accountability.

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‼️ Then Jake Lang Appeared Outside Their Apartment

On November 11, the controversy took another turn.

Lang posted footage showing himself outside what appeared to be the same apartment complex.

He wore a gorilla mask and imitated ape-like movements while addressing the residents and referring to their Ring camera.

In his social media posts, Lang defended the white women involved in the original incident and used insulting language toward the Black students.

The video circulated widely, intensifying criticism of his behavior.

The appearance was especially controversial because the students had already reported feeling targeted by the earlier encounter.

For many observers, seeing a second person return to the apparent location and repeat similar gestures raised concerns about continued harassment.

Lang, however, publicly portrayed his actions as a defense of the women accused in the original incident.

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🔥 “3 OLE MISS GIRLS = PATRIOTS”

Lang did not stop at the apartment.

Another video showed him inside an Ole Miss campus building holding a sign that read:

“3 Ole Miss girls = patriots.”

He loudly insisted that the women had done nothing wrong.

He argued that their behavior was protected by the First Amendment and claimed that criticism of them was unfair.

Lang also promoted an online GiveSendGo fundraiser established in support of Lauren Mayfield, one of the women identified in reporting about the original incident.

The fundraising campaign portrayed Mayfield as someone being unfairly criticized and defended her decision not to apologize.

By November 13, reports indicated that the fundraiser had received tens of thousands of dollars, approaching its original $100,000 target.

The financial support became another point of debate as critics questioned why the women accused of making offensive gestures were receiving donations.

Supporters of the fundraiser argued that the backlash had become excessive and that the women were being subjected to public punishment before the university completed its investigation.

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💔 One Student Apologizes as Investigation Continues

One of the women involved in the original doorbell-camera incident, 18-year-old Alaina Kunes, issued a public apology on November 10.

Kunes acknowledged that her behavior was inappropriate and harmful.

She maintained that she had not known the race of the people living inside the apartment when the gestures were made.

She also reported receiving threats following the viral video’s circulation.

Kunes subsequently withdrew from the University of Mississippi and indicated that she would cooperate with the investigation.

Reports identified Lauren Mayfield as another woman involved in the incident.

At the time of the initial coverage, Mayfield had not publicly issued an apology.

The university has not disclosed complete information about any disciplinary proceedings, citing federal student privacy protections.

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⚖️ University Chancellor Issues Strong Condemnation

On November 12, University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce addressed the growing controversy.

In a statement to the campus community, Boyce criticized an unaffiliated individual who had visited campus the previous day.

Although he did not identify Lang by name in the statement, the timing and description corresponded with Lang’s widely circulated videos.

Boyce characterized the visitor’s behavior as racist and detestable.

He said the actions appeared intended to antagonize and offend students.

The chancellor also emphasized that Ole Miss, as a public university, must respect First Amendment protections.

However, he made clear that the university’s commitment to free speech did not mean it endorsed the behavior displayed.

Boyce confirmed that the investigation into the November 6 incident was continuing.

University representatives had also met with affected students and their families to discuss the process and available support.

The administration stressed that students of every background deserve to feel safe and respected while pursuing their education.

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❤️ Three Students at the Center of a National Conversation

For Metcalf, Johnson and Caldwell, the controversy began with an unsettling encounter outside the place they called home.

What might otherwise have remained a private incident quickly became a national discussion involving university accountability, freedom of expression, racism and the consequences of viral social media attention.

The students had enrolled at Ole Miss to pursue their education.

Instead, they found themselves responding to interviews, public commentary and videos seen by millions.

The university’s history has also become part of the discussion.

In 1962, James Meredith became the first Black student admitted to the University of Mississippi, following a historic confrontation over racial integration.

More than six decades later, the latest incident has renewed questions about the experiences of Black students on campus.

Despite the controversy, the three roommates have said they intend to continue their studies at the university.

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‼️ A 13-Second Video That Sparked a Much Bigger Debate

What began with a brief security-camera recording has now developed into a dispute attracting national coverage.

Two women were filmed making monkey-like gestures.

One apologized and withdrew from the university.

Another became the subject of a fundraising campaign.

Then Jake Lang appeared outside what was reported to be the Black students’ apartment wearing a gorilla mask, publicly defending the women and challenging the criticism surrounding their actions.

The university condemned his behavior while continuing its investigation into the original incident.

The events have raised broader questions about the distinction between constitutionally protected expression, discriminatory behavior and harassment, particularly when conduct is directed toward students at their residence.

The First Amendment generally limits government restrictions on speech, but it does not prevent universities or members of the public from criticizing offensive behavior. Whether particular conduct warrants disciplinary or legal consequences depends on the facts and applicable rules.

For the three students, the controversy is about more than a viral video.

It concerns their ability to feel secure in their own home and respected within their university community.

A 13-second recording brought the original incident to national attention. Days later, a man in a gorilla mask returned the controversy to their doorstep. Now, as Ole Miss investigates, the country is watching how the university responds.