Donald Trump Slams Harvard as a Threat to Democracy
Dissident to democratic stability: Trump strikes again against Harvard
In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, former US President Donald Trump has blasted Ivy League institution Harvard as a "threat to democracy." According to Trump, Harvard is an anti-Semitic, left-wing university that harbors students worldwide, eager to divide and weaken our nation.
Trump's criticism goes beyond just the prestigious university; he targets its radical students, accusing them of spreading anger and hatred without offering any concrete evidence. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have occurred at various universities, including Harvard, which may have provoked his ire.
Lawyers in the Crossfire
The Trump administration had previously pressured several left-leaning universities, including Harvard, to cease funding for diversity programs. The institution decided to contest these efforts through the judicial system, employing lawyers with ties to Trump in the past. Trump's post demanded the immediate resignation of one such lawyer, but he admits the individual wasn't particularly competent.
Cracking Down on Universities
On the same day, Trump tightened the noose around universities by issuing decrees targeting foreign donations. Suspicions were rife that universities like Harvard were violating laws regarding the disclosure of foreign donations, according to a Trump administration official. The new order is intended to ensure universities disclose all foreign funds received to protect "national and security interests," safeguarding the "marketplace of ideas" from foreign-funded propaganda.
Another decree mandates universities to base student admissions on merit, rather than on "woke" criteria. Trump's administration denounces all diversity programs at universities, intended to redress historic discrimination against minorities, women, and underprivileged groups.
It's important to note that the antisemitism allegations and funding threats led to a review of $9 billion in federal funding, with $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts frozen in April 2025. The White House also demanded audits of academic programs, viewpoint assessments of students and faculty, and changes to Harvard’s governance and hiring practices, which President Alan Garber refused, citing infringement on constitutional rights and academic independence.
Trump's rhetoric against Harvard intensified on April 24, 2025, when he branded the university a "liberal mess" and a "threat to Democracy," claiming it admits "crazed lunatics" and fosters anti-American sentiment. The ongoing feud between Harvard and the Trump administration places Harvard squarely in the crosshairs of the administration's battles with elite institutions.
- Trump's criticism of Harvard extends to its legal representatives, as he demanded the immediate resignation of a lawyer with ties to him, deemed ineffective by Trump himself.
- In a bid to crack down on universities, Trump issued decrees targeting foreign donations, suspecting institutions like Harvard of violating laws regarding the disclosure of such donations.
- The Trump administration's policy-and-legislation changes targeted universities, with an order mandating student admissions based on merit and denouncing diversity programs as "woke" criteria.
- Amidst this political tension, General News reported that Trump labeled Harvard as a "liberal mess," a "threat to Democracy," and accused it of admitting "crazed lunatics" and fostering anti-American sentiment.
