President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to withdraw an additional $1 billion in federal funding from Harvard University. This move comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the prestigious Ivy League school. The funding, primarily related to health research, is part of a broader conflict over Harvard’s handling of campus issues, including allegations of antisemitism.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Trump’s decision to cut funding is linked to a list of demands sent to Harvard, which the White House later claimed was sent by mistake. The administration has also requested that the Internal Revenue Service revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, arguing that the university has not adequately addressed concerns about antisemitism on campus.
In March, the Justice Department initiated a review of Harvard’s federal contracts and government-funded grants. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security canceled $2.7 million in grants to the university, further escalating the situation. Trump’s criticisms of Harvard have intensified, with the president claiming on social media that the university has "lost its way" and does not deserve federal funding. He accused Harvard of promoting "woke" ideologies and suggested that it teaches "hate and stupidity."
Responses from the Harvard community have been mixed. Some students, like Carter Stewart, a classics major and campus Republican, see the funding cuts as a deserved consequence of the university’s decisions. Stewart believes that Harvard is doubling down on ideas that most Americans do not support. Conversely, some faculty members, like Ryan Enos, argue that the government should not interfere in the internal matters of a private institution, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech.
As the situation unfolds, both the White House and Harvard have been approached for comments but have yet to respond. The ongoing battle over funding and ideological differences continues to raise questions about the relationship between the federal government and educational institutions.