White House Battle With Harvard Intensifies

In the latest escalation of a feud between Harvard University and the White House, President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to pull the Ivy League institution’s tax-exempt status if it does not comply with his demands to end diversity, equity, and inclusion measures, as well as to curb antisemitic activities. That follows the withholding of millions of dollars in federal funding and grants.

“Perhaps Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status and be taxed as a political entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’ Remember, tax exempt status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump’s threat comes after Harvard rejected a number of demands from the Trump administration, including ending DEI, reducing the power of activist faculty, and implementing “merit-based admission policies.” 

The demands also included measures to combat antisemitism by restructuring academic programs and banning masks (which are often worn by demonstrators), as well as a call for “viewpoint diversity in admissions and hiring.”

Harvard’s refusal to comply led to the administration promptly freezing $2.2 billion in federal funds and $60 million in grants. The federal government began the process last month of reviewing more than $9 billion in federal funds allocated to Harvard.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who played a role in hastening the downfall of former Harvard President Claudine Gay, was quick to echo the president’s remarks. Stefanik is a Harvard graduate.

“President @realDonaldTrump is absolutely right—Harvard’s tax-exempt status should be on the table,” wrote Stefanik. 

“When a university abandons its duty to foster truth and safety, embracing divisive ideologies over public good, it forfeits that privilege. Time to hold them accountable!”

Many in the Democratic Party have cheered the academics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for going to battle against the administration in Washington.

“Congratulations to Harvard for refusing to relinquish its constitutional rights to Trump’s authoritarianism,” wrote Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in response to the university’s noncompliance. “Other universities should follow their lead.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard, similarly characterized it as a First Amendment issue in an interview Monday.

“You can agree or disagree with the students, but what the purpose of the First Amendment is, is that you don’t have the government dictating speech as the Trump administration is trying to do, so I’m glad Harvard is standing up here,” said Van Hollen.

The Harvard-White House rift reflects a larger fight within American politics.

For years, education level has been one of the most reliable indicators when predicting political affiliation, as Trump has dominated among non-college educated voters.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, joined the Trump administration in its battle with the Harvard administration, writing on X, “Let’s get the government out of it … Altogether.”

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