‘Too bad’: Donald Trump escalates actions against Harvard University by threatening to cut more funding
United States President Donald Trump has suggested his government might stop giving grants to Harvard University, which has refused to concede to his demands regarding hiring, administration and speech regulation.
“And it looks like we are not going to be giving them any more grants, right Linda?” Mr Trump said in remarks on Wednesday while referring to US Education Secretary Linda McMahon and without elaborating.
“A grant is at our discretion and they are really not behaving well. So it’s too bad.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Harvard and the US Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mr Trump’s remarks.
The Trump Administration has targeted Harvard over anti-Semitism on campus during pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel’s military assault on Gaza after the October 2023 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants.
In recent weeks, the Trump Administration has escalated its actions against Harvard.
It began a formal review into nearly $US9 billion ($A14 billion) in federal funding for Harvard, demanded the university ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and crack down on some pro-Palestinian groups and masks in protests.
It has also urged Harvard to give more details on its foreign ties and threatened to remove its tax-exempt status and its ability to enroll foreign students.
Harvard rejected numerous Mr Trump’s demands earlier in April, calling them an attack on free speech and academic freedom.
It sued the Trump Administration after it suspended about $US2.3 billion in federal funding for the educational institution, while also pledging to tackle discrimination on campus.
The Trump Administration has also threatened other educational institutions with federal funding cuts over issues such as pro-Palestinian protests, DEI, climate initiatives and transgender rights.
Protesting groups, including some Jewish ones, have said the Administration conflates their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza with anti-Semitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
Harvard University released two reports on Tuesday that found many Jewish, Arab and Muslim students experienced bigotry at its Massachusetts campus during protests in 2024, with some fearing exclusion for airing political views.
The Trump Administration has thus far not initiated probes over Islamophobia or anti-Arab bias.
