President Trump has called Harvard University “a joke that only teaches hate” and argued it should no longer receive federal funding.
“Harvard is no longer considered a good training ground and should not be regarded as one of the world’s greatest universities,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 16, 2025.
“Harvard is a joke, teaching nothing but hate and stupidity. They should no longer receive federal funding,” the U.S. President added.
This is Trump’s latest comment amid escalating tensions between his administration and Harvard over allegations of anti-Semitism.
The Interagency Task Force to Counter Anti-Semitism (JTFCAS) under the U.S. Department of Education has recommended that Harvard implement reforms, including banning student protests, restructuring its governance and leadership, overhauling admissions processes, and terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
However, Harvard President Alan Garber described these demands as an unprecedented government intrusion into academic institutions, arguing they undermine free speech and violate the Civil Rights Act.
“The government, regardless of which party is in power, should not dictate what universities teach, how they admit and recruit students and faculty, or which academic fields they pursue,” Garber wrote in a letter responding to the JTFCAS recommendations.
The White House immediately announced a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funding for the university. On April 15, Trump also threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status as a nonprofit educational institution.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on April 15 that President Trump expects Harvard to apologize after the university refused to address the “anti-Semitism” issue.
Harvard leads in medical research, advanced science, and technology and relies heavily on federal funding, totaling approximately $8.7 billion. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. government provided Harvard with about $686 million. Losing this support could stall ongoing research or prevent new projects from starting.
