President Donald Trump publicly declared his intention to redirect $3 billion in federal grant money away from Harvard University and instead invest it in trade schools across the United States.
The dramatic proposal, announced on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, comes amid an intensifying clash between the White House and the university over its diversity policies, foreign student enrollment practices, and recent campus protests.
“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 Monday. “What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!”
Trump’s criticism centers on Harvard’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as the university’s response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The president accused the university of fostering antisemitism and failing to comply with federal civil rights laws. The remarks echo broader conservative criticism of elite institutions that, they argue, prioritize ideology over education and national interests.
In a separate post Monday, Trump claimed that Harvard had failed to provide the federal government with a list of its international students. This follows the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent decision, which recently revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the university from admitting new international students.
“We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard… how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country,” Trump posted. “Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason!”
Legal Battle Intensifies
In response, Harvard filed a federal lawsuit on Friday, arguing that DHS’s revocation of its student visa certification violated the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The case quickly drew national attention, with civil liberties advocates warning of potential government overreach.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama-era appointee, granted a temporary injunction on Friday, blocking the DHS action while litigation continues.
Federal Contracts Also in Jeopardy
On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is also moving to cancel an additional $100 million in federal contracts with Harvard. This comes after the administration had already frozen over $3 billion in federal funds.
A draft letter from the General Services Administration (GSA) instructs federal agencies to identify and terminate contracts with Harvard, unless deemed absolutely essential. Agencies have been asked to respond by June 6 with lists of canceled agreements or requests for exemptions.
“Going forward, we also encourage your agency to seek alternative vendors for future services where you had previously considered Harvard,” the GSA reportedly wrote.
Political and Educational Implications
Trump’s proposal to reroute funds to trade schools reflects a populist push to shift federal priorities away from elite academic institutions and toward vocational education. While many conservatives have welcomed the move as a rebalancing of national priorities, critics argue it could have damaging consequences for research, innovation, and academic freedom.
Harvard, one of the world’s most prestigious universities, receives significant funding from the federal government for research, scholarships, and educational programs. Stripping billions in funding would not only impact the university but also have ripple effects across its partnerships and academic output.
As the legal and political battles play out, the conflict underscores the broader culture war over education, immigration, and national identity — with institutions like Harvard squarely in the crosshairs of an emboldened political movement.
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PRESIDENT TRUMP IS THE PRESENT PRESIDENT AS WELL AS THE FORMER ! CALL HIM WHAT HE IN NOW !!!
I BELIEVE THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!! VETERANS AND LAID-OFF CITIZENS SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY TO THESE SCHOOLS!!!
Thomas Sowell once said, “It is amazing how many disasters in American history had a Harvard man behind it!”
…………….
Harvard is a Marxist front, a public nuisance, a national security threat to the American way of life and the US Constitution.
No, don’t defund it.
Close it completely for 2 years. Fire all the Marxists! Keep the patriots.
Reopen with new staff, lower tuition and vetted patriotic professors!