President Trump called Harvard a “joking” amid his feud and his threat to cancel funds from the school.
“Harvard is a joke, teaches hatred and stupidity, and should no longer receive federal funds.” Trump wrote Truth Social in early posts on Wednesday.
Harvard, the first university on Monday, openly rejected the Trump administration’s request to change policies. The federal government has since suspended its $2 billion contract, threatening Trump’s tax-free status.
University lawyers rejected requests to change the school’s leadership structure, student disciplinary policies, admission and employment practices, and provided quarterly reports on diversity of progress and termination, and equity and inclusion (DEI) practices.
“Whether government is in power or not, we should not direct what private universities can teach, who can be recognized and hired, and which areas of research and research can be pursued,” said Harvard University President Alan Gerber.
Trump has denounced school leaders, saying they have “a ridiculously high salary” and are some of the “worst and most incompetent” leaders hired.
On Tuesday, Trump came to the idea of revoking the university’s tax-free status after Harvard rejected the administration’s request Monday. Most private nonprofits and universities are classified as organisations with educational duties and are therefore exempt from paying federal income taxes.
Harvard faculty filed a legal lawsuit Friday after Trump’s request was sent, reflecting what was filed by Columbia faculty members. Columbia has since seen a loss of $400 million in federal grants after the lawsuit and has since admitted its administration’s demands, but funds have not yet recovered.
Harvard has been supported in legal battles from Stanford and Yale University. The school was trying to defend free speech, promote university autonomy, and oppose political intervention.
The Ivy League is also supported by former President Obama. He said Harvard University has set an example for other institutions of higher education by rejecting the administration’s attempts to “control academic freedom.”
In a post Wednesday morning, Trump criticized Harvard University against the former president. From late 2023 to early 2024, the former Harvard president faced a boost on school practices to combat anti-Semitism after being burned into Capitol Hill lawmakers. She was later accused of plagiarism in various papers.
“Let’s take a look at the president who plagiarizes his recent past. They are very embarrassed by Harvard University before America… Congress,” writes Trump. “It got so bad that when they couldn’t take it anymore, they didn’t fire her on the spot, instead shifting this grossly incompetent woman into another position.”
“Like these left-wing dopes, many others teach at Harvard University. So Harvard can no longer be considered a place of study and should not be considered in the list of great universities and universities in the world,” he continued.
