Trump Calls Harvard a Joke, Halts $2.2 Billion Federal Funding Over Political Spat
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| "Harvard University red-brick campus illustration" |
Donald Trump generated headlines again, calling Harvard University a “joke” and demanding that the program stop federal funding for the university. Trump’s demand comes after Harvard failed to accept federal oversight of its admissions, hiring of faculty, and internal policies.
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What Really Happened?
On Wednesday, Trump took to his social platform, Truth Social, and criticized Harvard for promoting what he called “hate and stupidity.” He said the university no longer deserves to be seen as a top institution and shouldn’t be on any list of the world’s best colleges.
Following that, Trump suggested that the government should cancel Harvard’s research funding and even revoke its tax-free status as a nonprofit. Just a day earlier, he had already warned of cutting off Harvard’s financial benefits if they didn’t cooperate with federal guidelines.
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Why Is Trump So Angry at Harvard?
The root of the issue? Harvard has been refusing federal supervision when it comes to their internal politics, hiring process, and student enrollment practices. Trump believes elite schools like Harvard are becoming too politically biased, especially leaning far left.
He didn’t stop there—Trump directed the IRS to review Harvard’s nonprofit privileges and said they shouldn’t get any more taxpayer money if they won’t follow national interests.
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Harvard’s Response? Firm and Clear
Harvard’s leadership didn’t take this lightly. The university’s president, Alan Garber, strongly rejected Trump’s demands. He said Harvard isn’t willing to “negotiate its independence” or constitutional rights.
Even with the freeze on $2.2 billion in federal research grants, Harvard reassured students that federal loans and scholarships like Pell Grants will not be affected.
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What This Means for Other Universities
This isn’t just about Harvard—other top universities like Columbia and Stanford are also in the spotlight. Trump’s administration has already accused many of them of being “overly liberal” and warned they might face similar actions.
So far, most of these universities are standing their ground and not giving in to federal pressure, defending their rights to operate independently.
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Conclusion
This confrontation between Trump and Harvard is not just political theater; it represents the fight between academic freedom and federal oversight. Trump is seeking more oversight in the name of national interest, and Harvard is claiming autonomy. Moving forward, this story may fundamentally change higher education in the United States.
