Trump Threatens to Tax Harvard as ‘Political Entity’ After $2.2B Funding Freeze

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Harvard University, suggesting it should lose its tax-exempt status due to its refusal to comply with the White House’s directives to curb campus activism and dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed Harvard should be taxed like a political organization, accusing the university of promoting ideologies he described as “political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired sickness.”

“Perhaps Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status and be taxed as a political entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological and terrorist-inspired/supporting sickness,” Trump wrote. “Remember, tax-exempt status is totally contingent on acting in the public interest!”

This remark follows the Trump administration’s move on Monday to freeze approximately $2.3 billion in federal funding allocated to Harvard. This includes $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in federal contracts. The administration’s task force on combating antisemitism justified the freeze, citing Harvard’s noncompliance and labeling it part of an “entitlement mindset” seen in elite academic institutions.

Harvard President Alan Garber responded in a letter addressed to the university community, rejecting the administration’s demands and affirming the institution’s autonomy. He accused the government of overstepping its bounds and defended academic freedom.

“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Garber stated. “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and enquiry they can pursue.”

Garber also argued that the administration’s actions infringe on the First Amendment and exceed its authority under Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. He added, “These ends will not be achieved by assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard.”