Trump's threat to once again reduce support for Harvard.

 

US President Donald Trump is threatening to cut an additional $1 billion in health research funding for Harvard University, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday (April 20).

The Trump administration has already cut off government funding to Harvard, Columbia and other universities in response to the pro-Palestinian movement. According to the White House, the universities have “failed to prevent anti-Semitism” on campus.

Harvard made its position clear last week that the government cannot be given control over students, teachers and curriculum. This would undermine the university’s independence.

Immediately after Harvard’s response, the Trump administration said it would suspend $2.3 billion in long-term grants to the university and threatened to end its tax-exempt status.

In two separate statements, Trump called Harvard “a farce” and a “disgrace.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, administration officials were surprised when Harvard University published a letter from its “Task Force to Combat Antisemitism,” which immediately led to plans to cut an additional $1 billion in research funding.

While the initial plan was to show Harvard some “tolerance” compared to Columbia, the newspaper reported that the administration now wants to “increase the pressure” on Harvard.

A source close to Harvard said the task force is now taking a tougher stance against the university to protect its image.