Congresswoman Elise Stefanik Discusses Upcoming Book on Elite Universities

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-New York) has described her forthcoming book, Poisoned Ivy: An Internal Report on Academic and Moral Corruption at America’s Elite Universities, as a thorough examination of prestigious educational institutions in the U.S.

In a recent interview with Matthew Boyle on Breitbart News Saturday, Stefanik highlighted that many of these Ivy League universities predate the country’s independence in 1776. She asserted that these institutions have “fundamentally lost their way.”

Stefanik recalled intense congressional hearings involving the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She posed a direct moral question: “Is it a violation of your university’s code of conduct to call for the extermination of Jews?” The responses she received, which centered on context rather than clear condemnation, prompted her to reflect on the current state of these elite institutions.

“That testimony became exceptionally notable in U.S. congressional history. It unveiled both moral and academic corruption at these universities,” she said. Using Harvard as a specific example—founded in 1636—she emphasized that these institutions were established on American values but have evidently strayed from them.

Stefanik’s book, which she’s been developing for three years, aims to delve deeply into each institution while also showcasing collaborative efforts with President Trump aimed at pushing higher education back towards traditional American values through executive actions and legislation.

When Boyle pointed out that Democrats were allegedly trying to pressure Ivy League schools ahead of the midterm elections, Stefanik responded that they’ve essentially utilized these universities as a part of the political framework.

In her chapter focusing on Harvard, she noted that many board members are appointees from the Obama administration. She recounted how Barack Obama himself urged the university to retain Claudine Gay, especially in light of a significant plagiarism scandal that emerged following the hearings.

Stefanik critiqued these universities for taking taxpayer money without making necessary changes post-hearing. “We did the right thing with President Trump by issuing several executive orders right from the start. The recent tax legislation even included measures to limit certain tax benefits for these schools,” she explained.

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