President Donald Trump recently demanded $1 billion from Harvard University, doubling his previous ask. This escalation is part of an ongoing standoff that seems to be getting more complicated. Trump took to social media, accusing Harvard of “behaving very badly” and insisting that the university must pay the government directly. Harvard officials haven’t responded yet.
Just last June, Trump claimed a deal was almost finalized, where Harvard would invest $500 million in trade schools rather than make a direct payment. This plan appears to have fallen through, as Trump criticized it as “convoluted” and “wholly inadequate.”
Trump has had a long-standing conflict with elite universities, particularly Harvard. His administration has significantly cut federal funding for Harvard’s research and tried to restrict its enrollment of foreign students. He claims these actions aim to address alleged anti-Jewish bias on campus. Harvard, in turn, has argued that it’s being unfairly targeted for rejecting the administration’s views. A federal judge even intervened last December, reversing funding cuts and calling the bias claims a “smokescreen.”
Other initiatives targeting universities have faltered. Last fall, the White House invited nine universities to sign a “compact” for funding in exchange for adopting Trump’s policies, but none accepted. In January, the White House also ended its legal defense related to funding threats over diversity policies.
Historically, Trump has focused on challenging institutions he claims promote liberal ideologies and anti-Jewish bias. While some universities have managed to restore funding through agreements that include direct payments, the future of Trump’s higher education agenda seems uncertain.
This conflict sheds light on the deeper issues regarding the relationship between government and educational institutions, particularly on topics like funding and the influence of political ideology.
For more information on this evolving situation, you can check the Associated Press.
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