Former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a
sharp attack on Harvard University, accusing the Ivy League institution
of promoting “political, ideological and terrorist-inspired sickness.” In a
post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that Harvard should lose its tax-exempt
status and instead be treated as a political entity.
“Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be
Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and
terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness’? Remember, Tax Exempt Status is
totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” — Donald Trump on
Truth Social
What’s Behind the Clash?
The Trump administration has been increasing pressure on
Harvard and other elite institutions amid rising campus activism,
particularly around the Israel-Gaza conflict. This follows nationwide
student-led protests against U.S. support for Israel, which have, at
times, turned violent or disrupted academic activities.
- On Monday,
the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard
after the university rejected a list of demands aimed at curbing anti-Semitic
behavior on campus.
- The
White House also froze an additional $60 million in contracts and
ordered Harvard to:
- Shut
down diversity offices
- Overhaul
governance, hiring, and admissions policies
- Cooperate
with immigration authorities regarding international students
Harvard's Response
In a firm rebuttal, Harvard President Alan Garber
said the university would not back down or "negotiate over its
independence or its constitutional rights."
“Harvard will stand by its values and constitutional
protections. We cannot allow federal overreach to dictate our governance or
freedom of expression,” — Alan Garber
White House Justification
Trump’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism
defended the funding freeze, stating:
"Harvard’s response shows a troubling entitlement
mindset. Federal funding comes with responsibility — especially to uphold civil
rights laws."
The task force also emphasized that:
- Harassment
of Jewish students is intolerable
- Campus
disruptions must be addressed
- Institutions
wishing to receive taxpayer funds must show meaningful change
Context: The Campus Crisis
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions on U.S.
college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has claimed
more than 50,000 lives, including many civilians. Student protests have
sharply criticized U.S. foreign policy and its unwavering support for Israel.
What This Means
Trump’s statement escalates a growing conflict between conservative
politics and liberal academia, and it raises serious questions
about:
- The
limits of free speech on campus
- The
role of federal funding in shaping academic policies
- The politicization
of educational institutions
As the 2024 U.S. elections approach, education and campus
protests may become even more central themes in Trump’s campaign.