President Donald Trump took a new dig at Harvard University on Wednesday amid the administration’s very public legal feud with the Ivy League institution, saying that the school is “getting their a** kicked.”
Newsweek reached out to Harvard via email for comment Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Trump and his administration have cracked down on Ivy League institutions, such as Harvard and Columbia University, since taking office in January.
The White House has accused the universities of allowing antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian student protests.
Among other things, the Trump administration initially withheld $400 million in federal funding from Columbia and stated it would not release the funds unless the school changed its policies.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also terminated nearly $3 million in grants to Harvard after the university defied a list of demands that included discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, reforming student discipline policies, and implementing a mask ban.
What To Know
While speaking to reporters about the current status of the feud with Harvard, the president was asked how he thinks it will end.
“Harvard’s got to behave themselves. Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect. And all they’re doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper,” the president said in part.
“They’ve got to behave themselves, you know. I’m looking… out for the country… and for Harvard. I want Harvard to do well. I want Harvard to be great again, probably, because how could it be great? How could it great,” the president added.
Trump went on to rip the Ivy League school for offering a remedial math course. “How did these people get into Harvard… if they can’t do basic mathematics,” Trump asked. “How did they do it? I mean, people with 1,600 on their boards don’t get in, and… they’re letting people in, and they are bragging about how they’re teaching them basic mathematics.”
Concluding his answer to reporters, the president praised Columbia, saying, “You know, Columbia has been really — they were very, very bad what they’ve done. They’re very anti-Semitic and lots of other things. But they’re working with us on finding a solution, and, you know, they’re taken off that hot seat.”
“But Harvard wants to fight. They want to show how smart they are, and they’re getting their a** kicked,” Trump said.
Trump’s administration recently said they would pull the certification for Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows the university to enroll international students. The move was then shot down in court.
What People Are Saying
Harvard President Alan M. Garber in a statement after their court win last week in part: “The court has granted Harvard’s motion, allowing the University to continue enrolling international students and scholars as the case proceeds. A hearing has been set for next Thursday, May 29, to determine whether the temporary order should be extended.
“This is a critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars, who are vital to the University’s mission and community. Many among us are likely to have additional concerns and questions. Important updates and guidance will continue to be provided by the Harvard International Office as they become available.”
Trump on Truth Social on Sunday: “Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to.
“Nobody told us that! We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming. We want those names and countries. Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you!”
What Happens Next
The New York Times reported that Trump’s administration also plans to cancel all federal contracts with the university totaling nearly $100 million.
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