Viral social media posts allege that Donald Trump is targeting Ivy League universities because his son, Barron Trump, was rejected by them. The claims come amid growing tensions between the Trump administration and elite institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford. According to the posts, Trump is allegedly threatening to cut federal funding to these schools in retaliation for the rejections.

Was Barron Trump rejected by Harvard?

Though the rumor has gained traction online, there is evidence suggesting that Barron Trump did apply to Harvard and was not accepted. Barron’s academic path began at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York City. In September 2017, following Trump’s election, Barron transferred to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland.

After the Trump presidency, Barron enrolled at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, and graduated in 2024. He is now attending New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he began in the fall of that year.

Last week, Harvard reportedly received a letter from the Trump administration that included a series of demands tied to federal funding. These demands called for reforms to Harvard’s curriculum and admissions processes, the end of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, and other policy changes. However, The New York Times reported that the letter was “unauthorized” and should not have been sent, citing two sources familiar with the matter. Harvard rejected the contents of the April 11 letter, with President Alan M. Garber stating that the “University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”

Within the Trump administration, there were conflicting accounts regarding the mishandling of the letter. Some White House officials claimed it was sent prematurely, while others insisted it was never intended to be dispatched. Despite the confusion, Harvard confirmed to CNN that it believes the letter is authentic, noting that the Trump administration has already frozen billions of dollars in federal funding to the university.

“Even assuming the Administration now wishes to take back its litany of breathtakingly intrusive demands, it appears to have doubled down on those demands through its deeds in recent days. Actions speak louder than words,” a Harvard spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also emphasized the legitimacy of the letter, stating that it “was signed by three federal officials, placed on official letterhead, was sent from the e-mail inbox of a senior federal official, and was sent on April 11 as promised.”