Trump vs Harvard: As tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University escalate, President Donald Trump on Friday accused the Ivy League institution of misusing federal funds, enabling antisemitism, and prioritising foreign students over Americans. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump issued sharp criticism while suggesting reforms to limit foreign student enrollment and reshaping federal support for elite universities.
“We want great students, not troublemakers”
Addressing reporters, Trump made it clear that while he supports international students, he only wants those who contribute positively to the US educational system. “We want great students here. We just don’t want students who are causing trouble,” he said. “I want foreign students here… but not if they’re causing issues.”
Trump claimed that the US government had unknowingly given over $5 billion in federal funds to Harvard over a “short period,” accusing the university of operating with little accountability. “Nobody knew that… We found that out over a period of time. That was sort of a Trump thing,” he said, distancing the discovery from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), previously led by Elon Musk.
Judge blocks Trump government move against Harvard
The president’s comments came a day after US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s attempt to bar Harvard from enrolling foreign students. The judge’s ruling extended a temporary restraining order granted last week, delivering a legal setback to Trump’s education crackdown.
#WATCH | On the issue of foreign students, US President Donald Trump says, "We want to have great students here. We just don't want students who are causing trouble. We want students, I want foreign students here… Our country has given Harvard $5 billion plus over a short… pic.twitter.com/HYOUyKNELQ
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025
Trump proposes 15% cap on foreign students
Trump further proposed capping the number of international students at Harvard to 15%, down from the current 31%. “We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools [but] they can’t get in because we have foreign students there,” he said. The proposal is part of a broader push to prioritise domestic students and reduce what Trump sees as an imbalance in admissions policies.
Earlier, the administration paused $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard and froze the university’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), citing national security concerns and noncompliance with federal mandates.
Antisemitism and campus radicalisation
Trump’s remarks were also linked to recent controversies over alleged antisemitism on campus. He cited “litigation” with Harvard stemming from antisemitic incidents and suggested that federal grants could be conditioned on institutions addressing such issues.
Meanwhile, during Harvard’s recent graduation ceremony, a student speech drew fresh scrutiny. The speaker criticised the university for disciplining students who stood in solidarity with Gaza and named Mahmoud Khalil, who was accused of assaulting a Jewish student. The speech was labeled by conservative voices as part of a growing culture of “systematic radicalisation” at Harvard.
Broader crackdown on elite institutions?
As Trump ramps up his re-election campaign, his offensive against Harvard signals a broader shift in how his administration might reshape higher education—prioritising national loyalty, American students, and institutional accountability. “We can’t lose that case,” Trump said of the ongoing federal lawsuits. “Harvard hasn’t been acting very nicely.”