US President Donald Trump has intensified his confrontation with Harvard University, threatening to cut off federal funding and redirect billions to trade schools while accusing the Ivy League institution of antisemitism and shielding radical foreign students. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!” Trump also accused the university of dragging its feet in disclosing data on foreign students, implying a national security threat. “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 said, adding, “Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason!” The US President further claimed Harvard was manipulating the legal system to its advantage: “Harvard has shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!). But have no fear — the Government will, in the end, WIN!” In another post, Trump argued that Harvard has too many foreign students and questioned why the US continues to fund their education: “Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to.” “We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming.” Trump added: “Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you!” He also linked foreign enrollment to reduced access for American students: “It shouldn’t be 31 percent. It’s too much because we have Americans that want to go there.” Labeling Harvard as antisemitic, Trump said: “Everybody knows they’re anti-Semitic. And that’s got to stop immediately.” The conflict has intensified since the Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, revoked Harvard’s authority to admit foreign students, citing visa violations and security risks. The action, which impacts nearly 6,800 students, was temporarily blocked by a federal judge after Harvard challenged the decision in court, calling it “arbitrary and unconstitutional.” The move sparked global backlash. Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth and officials in China expressed concern. US Senator Jeanne Shaheen warned the decision “does lasting damage,” and former Harvard President Larry Summers called it “the most serious attack in the university’s history.” The standoff is part of Trump’s broader push against elite campuses, DEI initiatives, and pro-Palestinian activism.
