Trump Calls Harvard “A Disgrace,” Signals Possible Revocation Of Its Tax-Exempt Status

Further escalating tensions between his administration and Harvard University, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called the Ivy League school “a disgrace” and “anti-Semitic”. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump criticized the university and mentioned that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was planning to take away Harvard’s tax-exempt status. 

These comments come during a time of nationwide protests, following the White House’s decision to freeze around $2.3 billion in federal funding. The Homeland Security Secretary also warned that Harvard could lose its ability to host international students if it doesn’t follow visa-related rules.

Harvard has responded by saying it will follow legal requirements but will not give up its independence or constitutional rights. The university was the first to openly resist the administration’s demands related to campus activism, antisemitism, and diversity. “They’re obviously anti-Semitic, and all of a sudden they’re starting to behave,” Trump said. 

When asked if the IRS had made a decision, Trump replied, “I’m not involved in it. I read about it just like you did. But tax-exempt status – I mean, it’s a privilege. It’s really a privilege, and it’s been abused by a lot more than Harvard.” He also shared that other universities could be next. “When you take a look at places like Columbia, Harvard, Princeton – I don’t know what’s going on, but we’ll be looking at it very strongly,” he said. These comments have led to protests, where hundreds of students, faculty, and community members gathered to support academic freedom. The event called for “Rally for the Right to Learn!”