Harvard Becomes Resistance HQ in Trump’s Campus Culture War

[Social Media]

 

Harvard Becomes Resistance HQ in Trump’s Campus Culture War

 

When Harvard University refused to comply with sweeping federal demands from the Trump administration, it marked the most high-profile confrontation yet in an escalating war between the White House and elite academic institutions.

 

 

This week, Harvard became the first university to publicly reject orders from the administration to overhaul hiring, admissions, and curriculum policies. The White House claims the changes are aimed at combating anti-Semitism, but critics argue they amount to a political assault on academic freedom. Within hours of Harvard’s refusal, the Department of Education froze more than $2 billion in federal funding earmarked for the university.

 

 

Trump responded with characteristic venom on Truth Social, calling Harvard “a JOKE” and suggesting it should lose its tax-exempt status for promoting “ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness.’” He had long telegraphed his plans to target elite universities, accusing them of becoming ultra-liberal strongholds that discriminate against conservatives and Jewish students.

 

 

 

The clash comes amid broader reforms from the administration, including crackdowns on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and the creation of a Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. That body, led by conservative commentator Leo Terrell, has already helped suspend over $11 billion in federal funding from seven schools and revoked student visas en masse. Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania have complied; Harvard has not.

 

 

The administration demanded that Harvard report students deemed “hostile” to American values, hire a government-approved auditor to review certain programs, and ensure “viewpoint diversity” in all departments. Harvard President Alan Garber refused, arguing that yielding would compromise the school’s independence. “No government… should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he said.

 

Supporters of the administration see Harvard’s resistance as emblematic of everything wrong with higher education. “If Trump breaks Harvard, he breaks the system — and that needs to happen,” said Melissa Rein Lively, CEO of “anti-woke” PR firm America First. “These places are bloated hedge funds disguised as colleges.”

 

Harvard is still reeling from controversies of its own. It faced backlash over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. That, combined with a plagiarism scandal involving former President Claudine Gay, triggered donor withdrawals and a 34% drop in endowment value. Despite this, the university remains the wealthiest in the world, with a $50 billion endowment and a $6.4 billion annual budget.

 

Prominent alumni, including Barack Obama, praised Harvard’s stand. “It has set an example by rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom,” he said. But critics say universities brought this on themselves. “The Trump administration regards elite universities as enemies and wants to reduce their influence,” said conservative scholar Harvey Mansfield, who taught at Harvard for six decades.

 

Some conservatives warn the administration’s approach is overreach. “I support more intellectual diversity,” said economist Greg Mankiw, “but this is not the way. Change must come from within.” A White House official pushed back, saying, “We’re not taking away anybody’s freedom. We’re ending cancel culture and promoting fairness.”

 

The fight has energized both sides of the cultural divide. But many believe it won’t be settled on campus — it will be decided in the courts. “This is heading to the judiciary,” said education historian Jonathan Zimmerman. “You’ve got a conservative Supreme Court full of elite law school grads. It’s going to be a tough balance between their politics and the value they place on academia.”

 

Ultimately, Harvard’s refusal has turned it into the epicenter of a national showdown over the future of American education. Whether the university holds the line or buckles under pressure, the outcome may redefine the boundaries between academic independence and political power.

 

Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-04-22

 

Related Topics:

International Students Face Sudden Visa Revocations via email and told to self deport

US Revokes 300 Student Visas in Crackdown on Campus Protests

Palestinian Columbia Protester Detained by ICE During Citizenship Appointment

U.S. State Dept to Use AI to Revoke Visas of Foreign Students with Alleged Ties to Hamas

 

 

[Tug]

I’m not sure culture war is correct perhaps standing up for the constitution would be more appropriate.

[theshu25]

It is only payback as the village idiot was not admitted to Harvard. They dont take idiots in ,so he had no show. Now he wants to stop the grants as a payback. Petty minded little conman that he is. 

[JonnyF]

That's the trouble with DEI policies for entrants, you end up with a prestigious University like Harvard full of left wing nutters who shouldn't even be there. Then they start believing their own silly ideas because they "qualified" for Harvard. 

 

Case in point, David Lammy. 

[Chomper Higgot]

The guy who scammed students at his own ‘Trump University’ before it went bankrupt telling one of the most prestigious universities on the planet how  it should be run.

The crass stupidity is astounding.
 

 

[WDSmart]

Good for them! I heartedly approve and hope more universities and businesses will join them. 

[Srikcir]

"Harvard sues Trump administration over efforts to ‘gain control of academic decision-making’,"

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/apr/21/harvard-sues-trump-administration

The resistance grows:

"Multiple Colleges Join Harvard in Fight Against Trump Admin"

https://www.newsweek.com/multiple-colleges-harvard-fight-trump-admin-2059807

• "A group of U.S. universities sued the Department of Energy on Monday over cuts to federal research funding, joining Harvard University in fighting President Donald Trump's administration."

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Harvard Becomes Resistance HQ in Trump’s Campus Culture War

 

When Harvard University refused to comply with sweeping federal demands from the Trump administration, it marked the most high-profile confrontation yet in an escalating war between the White House and elite academic institutions.

 

 

This week, Harvard became the first university to publicly reject orders from the administration to overhaul hiring, admissions, and curriculum policies. The White House claims the changes are aimed at combating anti-Semitism, but critics argue they amount to a political assault on academic freedom. Within hours of Harvard’s refusal, the Department of Education froze more than $2 billion in federal funding earmarked for the university.

 

 

Trump responded with characteristic venom on Truth Social, calling Harvard “a JOKE” and suggesting it should lose its tax-exempt status for promoting “ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness.’” He had long telegraphed his plans to target elite universities, accusing them of becoming ultra-liberal strongholds that discriminate against conservatives and Jewish students.

 

 

 

The clash comes amid broader reforms from the administration, including crackdowns on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and the creation of a Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. That body, led by conservative commentator Leo Terrell, has already helped suspend over $11 billion in federal funding from seven schools and revoked student visas en masse. Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania have complied; Harvard has not.

 

 

The administration demanded that Harvard report students deemed “hostile” to American values, hire a government-approved auditor to review certain programs, and ensure “viewpoint diversity” in all departments. Harvard President Alan Garber refused, arguing that yielding would compromise the school’s independence. “No government… should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he said.

 

Supporters of the administration see Harvard’s resistance as emblematic of everything wrong with higher education. “If Trump breaks Harvard, he breaks the system — and that needs to happen,” said Melissa Rein Lively, CEO of “anti-woke” PR firm America First. “These places are bloated hedge funds disguised as colleges.”

 

Harvard is still reeling from controversies of its own. It faced backlash over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. That, combined with a plagiarism scandal involving former President Claudine Gay, triggered donor withdrawals and a 34% drop in endowment value. Despite this, the university remains the wealthiest in the world, with a $50 billion endowment and a $6.4 billion annual budget.

 

Prominent alumni, including Barack Obama, praised Harvard’s stand. “It has set an example by rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom,” he said. But critics say universities brought this on themselves. “The Trump administration regards elite universities as enemies and wants to reduce their influence,” said conservative scholar Harvey Mansfield, who taught at Harvard for six decades.

 

Some conservatives warn the administration’s approach is overreach. “I support more intellectual diversity,” said economist Greg Mankiw, “but this is not the way. Change must come from within.” A White House official pushed back, saying, “We’re not taking away anybody’s freedom. We’re ending cancel culture and promoting fairness.”

 

The fight has energized both sides of the cultural divide. But many believe it won’t be settled on campus — it will be decided in the courts. “This is heading to the judiciary,” said education historian Jonathan Zimmerman. “You’ve got a conservative Supreme Court full of elite law school grads. It’s going to be a tough balance between their politics and the value they place on academia.”

 

Ultimately, Harvard’s refusal has turned it into the epicenter of a national showdown over the future of American education. Whether the university holds the line or buckles under pressure, the outcome may redefine the boundaries between academic independence and political power.

 

Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-04-22

 

Related Topics:

International Students Face Sudden Visa Revocations via email and told to self deport

US Revokes 300 Student Visas in Crackdown on Campus Protests

Palestinian Columbia Protester Detained by ICE During Citizenship Appointment

U.S. State Dept to Use AI to Revoke Visas of Foreign Students with Alleged Ties to Hamas

 

 

The court will decide.

However, Trump needs low IQ electorate. So I understand his stance.

[thaipo7]

14 hours ago, Tug said:

I’m not sure culture war is correct perhaps standing up for the constitution would be more appropriate.

Who is standing up for the Constitution.  Not Marxist Harvard.  They have a $53 billion endowment.  Let them use that.  Why must pay to have people being indoctrinated in ways that are not American?

[TedG]

A wealthy school catering to affluent families is suing the federal government to retain its federal subsidy. Priceless.