U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his standoff with Harvard University, threatening to cut billions in federal funding over what he described as the institution’s “antisemitic” stance and resistance to federal oversight.
In a Memorial Day post, Trump wrote, “I am considering taking three billion dollars of grant money away from a very antisemitic Harvard and giving it to trade schools all across our land.” He did not provide specifics on how the reallocation would be implemented.
Trump also raised concerns about the university’s international student population, suggesting he may seek the removal of foreign students he claims could be “radicalised lunatics” and “troublemakers.” He said he is waiting for Harvard to submit a list of its foreign enrollees to determine who should be barred from returning to the United States, citing what he called a “ridiculous expenditure of billions of dollars.”
“But have no fear, the government will, in the end, win!” Trump declared.
Last week, his administration attempted to block Harvard from enrolling international students, but a federal judge issued a temporary suspension of the order pending a hearing scheduled for later this week.
Trump’s anger toward Harvard appears rooted in the university’s pushback against federal oversight of its admissions and hiring practices. He has accused the institution of enabling antisemitism and pushing a liberal agenda.
This latest move is part of a broader effort by the administration to challenge institutions it views as left-leaning. So far, the government has placed $9 billion in federal support to Harvard under review, frozen $2.2 billion in grants, and suspended $60 million in contracts. In addition, a Harvard Medical School-affiliated researcher is reportedly facing deportation as part of the crackdown.