Nationwide — President Donald Trump has demanded an apology from Harvard University and warned he may revoke its tax-exempt status. This came after Harvard rejected his administration’s demands to cancel its DEI programs or risk losing federal funding.Trump has criticized U.S. universities for promoting what he calls anti-American, antisemitic, and Marxist ideas. He recently threatened to cut federal grants to schools, including Harvard, for not meeting his administration’s demands.
On social media, Trump said Harvard supports “political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired sickness” and hinted at removing its tax benefits, according to Reuters.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump wants Harvard to apologize for alleged antisemitism on campus. She also accused the school of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination by federally funded institutions. However, any cut to funding would require a formal investigation, which has not yet happened.
Harvard President Alan Garber rejected the demands, calling them a threat to free speech and academic freedom. Garber defended the university’s efforts to combat antisemitism while preserving academic freedom.
The Trump administration has already frozen more than $2 billion in contracts and grants to Harvard, though specific details have not been disclosed. Princeton and Stanford have expressed support for Harvard’s position, defending academic independence.
Meanwhile, Columbia University faculty have filed a legal challenge against the administration’s actions. A judge has ordered the government to respond by May 1st.