🔥 Escalation of Tensions
- Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric against Harvard University, calling it: “A JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds.”
- He accused the institution of resisting federal oversight and promoting “anti-American” values.
💰 Funding and Legal Threats
- The Trump administration has:
- Frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard.
- Threatened to strip its nonprofit tax-exempt status.
- Demanded changes in admissions, hiring, and academic program auditing.
🧑⚖️ Harvard’s Response
- Harvard President Alan Garber stated: “We will not negotiate over our independence or our constitutional rights.”
- The university has remained defiant, standing by its governance and institutional autonomy.
📚 What Sparked the Feud?
- The White House cites “unchecked anti-Semitism” and alleged support for Hamas in the wake of pro-Palestinian student protests over the war in Gaza.
- The administration also objects to diversity policies in admissions and hiring, targeting affirmative action practices.
🎓 Broader Context
- Harvard is among several elite schools facing federal scrutiny under Trump’s second term.
- Other universities have reportedly yielded to government pressure to avoid losing funds.
