A Bold Threat Against an Ivy League Giant
President Donald Trump has launched one of his strongest attacks yet on Harvard University, announcing on Memorial Day that he is considering stripping the school of $3 billion in federal grants and redirecting the funds to trade schools across the country. The move is part of a broader campaign targeting elite universities that Trump accuses of fostering antisemitism and pushing liberal ideologies.
“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,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. “What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!”
This statement follows months of rising tension between the Trump administration and Harvard, as the White House seeks to reshape the direction of federal support for higher education.
The Background: Trump and Harvard Face Off
The clash between Trump and Harvard began earlier this year, when the administration began reviewing nearly $9 billion in federal funding linked to the university. Trump’s team accused the school of failing to address antisemitic activity on campus and claimed Harvard was not cooperating with requests for student information related to foreign nationals.
In response, Harvard filed lawsuits against the administration, arguing that the government’s actions violate constitutional protections and due process. The university says the crackdown threatens decades of vital research and collaboration between government and academia.
In court filings, Harvard emphasized the importance of its federally funded work, which includes breakthroughs in medicine and public health. According to the university, the funding supports projects on diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis.
“The longstanding partnership between federal funding and university research has improved American lives,” Harvard’s legal team wrote, adding that the Trump administration’s pressure campaign could harm the public.
Why Trump Says Harvard Deserves to Lose the Money
Trump has shown no signs of backing down. He claims Harvard’s leadership tolerates antisemitism and is failing to provide transparency. He has also accused the school of trying to manipulate the legal system by “judge shopping.”
“The best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!)” Trump posted. “But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!”
He further criticized Harvard’s handling of protests and demanded a list of international students enrolled at the university, claiming that some might be “radicalized lunatics” who should not be allowed to return to the country. “We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country,” he wrote.
According to federal records, international students make up about 27 percent of Harvard’s enrollment, with the largest groups coming from China, Canada, India, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Trade Schools as an Alternative
Trump says the money would be better spent on trade schools. He argues that these institutions provide real-world job skills and prepare Americans for high-paying careers without the burden of student debt or the ideological influence of elite universities.
Supporters of the idea say the focus on vocational education is long overdue. Jason Altmire, president of a trade school and for-profit college association, welcomed Trump’s comments. “President Trump has taken significant steps in this direction and we are optimistic that his announcement Monday will continue that momentum,” Altmire said.
During his 2023 campaign, Trump promoted an idea for an “American Academy,” which would offer free educational content online. The goal, he said, would be to provide access to “the full spectrum of human knowledge and skills,” including both academic subjects and trade training.
“Whether you want lectures in ancient histories or an introduction to financial accounting or training in a skilled trade,” Trump said in a campaign video, “the goal will be to deliver it and get it done properly.” He also promised that this academy would be “strictly nonpolitical” and would not allow “wokeness or jihadism.”
Legal Hurdles and Public Debate
Despite the bold threat, it is unclear how much authority the president has to reallocate the $3 billion in question. Much of the funding has already been approved by Congress for specific research purposes, and any attempt to move the money could be challenged in court.
Still, by proposing to redirect the funds rather than simply cutting them off, Trump may be shifting the public conversation. Turning the issue into a funding choice between elite universities and blue-collar training could help him gain political support from working-class voters.
While critics call the plan a politically motivated attack on higher education, others see it as a much-needed shift in federal priorities. The debate touches on deeper questions about the purpose of education, the role of government in research, and the future of America’s workforce.
For now, the legal battle continues. Harvard’s lawsuits are working their way through the federal court system, and both sides are scheduled to meet in court again this week. Meanwhile, nearly 9,000 Harvard students are preparing to graduate, even as their university faces one of the most intense political and financial challenges in its long history.
