On Friday, President Donald Trump announced his intention regarding Harvard’s tax-exempt status, boldly declaring, “That’s right for them!”
This statement follows reports from Fox News indicating that his administration had requested the IRS to revoke Harvard’s tax-free designation.
Interestingly, the context for this potential action seems to relate to Ivy League institutions that have been criticized for not adequately addressing anti-Semitism on their campuses.
Fox News Digital reached out to Harvard University for a response on Friday morning.
Trump Labels Harvard as a “Threat to Democracy” Amid Anti-Semitism Concerns
On April 15th, I walked through Harvard University’s Business School campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Reuters/Facennie Vadge)
In mid-April, Trump criticized Harvard, claiming it had “lost avenue” and shouldn’t receive federal funding.
He went on to describe the university as hiring “woke, radical left” individuals, suggesting their teachings were largely ineffective. He particularly called out a recent past president for perceived embarrassments during congressional hearings.
“With so many left-wing people teaching there, Harvard no longer stands as a credible academic institution,” he asserted, adding that it fosters “hatred and stupidity” unworthy of receiving federal funds.
This critique forms part of a broader agenda targeting various universities responding to instances of anti-Israel demonstrations that surged across campuses last year.
Harvard President Issues Apology for Mismanagement of Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia Issues
President Donald Trump announced on Friday, May 2, that he is “to take Harvard’s tax-free status.” (Getty Images | istock)
On April 11, the Trump administration directed an official letter to Harvard’s Dr. Alan Gerber and another member of the university’s governing body, outlining various grievances. The letter criticized Harvard for not adequately facilitating an environment conducive to creative thought.
It warned that federal funding could be at risk unless Harvard made significant changes to its leadership and policies by August 2025. There seemed to be an emphasis on revising the admissions processes to prevent any recognition of views that could be deemed anti-American or supportive of terrorism and anti-Semitism.
Harvard refused to comply, with Gerber expressing that the government should not dictate university policies or academic standards.
Following this, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in funding to Harvard and is reportedly aiming for further cuts, possibly up to a billion more, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.
Protesters gather outside Harvard University to show their disapproval of actions taken under the Trump administration. (Brett Phelps/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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The university later took legal action against the Trump administration, describing the funding freeze as “illegal.”
Andrea Margolis, Alexis McAdams, and Rachel Wolf of Fox News contributed to this report.
