Trump Threatens Harvard: University Could Lose Tax Benefits Over Political Ideology

US President Donald Trump has once again attacked Harvard University, threatening to strip it of its tax benefits. “Perhaps Harvard University should lose its tax-exempt status and be taxed as a political entity if it continues to promote politically, ideologically, and terror-inspired ‘madness’,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Harvard University, located near Boston, holds an endowment exceeding $50 billion while enjoying exemptions from federal and Massachusetts state governments. The university, like other American institutions, has been the site of student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. Trump criticized Harvard shortly after taking office, condemning the harassment of Jewish students as intolerable. The US Department of Education stated that elite universities must take the issue seriously and commit to significant changes to continue receiving taxpayer support. Last Friday, the Trump administration sent an email to Harvard demanding the university report foreign students exhibiting inappropriate behavior to federal authorities and confirm each school promotes ‘diversity of opinions’. The administration also requested Harvard monitor the views of students and faculty. In response, Harvard stated it would not comply with demands exceeding lawful authority. These requests violate the First Amendment, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, particularly free speech. Harvard President Alan Garber assured students and faculty that the university will not compromise its independence or constitutionally guaranteed rights. He emphasized no government should dictate what private universities teach, who they admit or hire, or what research topics they pursue. Despite implementing measures to combat antisemitism and improve campus climate, including disciplinary actions against students, investing in ideological diversity, and enhancing security, the administration ignored these efforts and imposed conditions undermining academic independence. “Congratulations to Harvard for refusing to relinquish its constitutional rights against Trump’s authoritarianism,” Senator Bernie Sanders remarked. Representative Elise Stefanik, a Trump ally and Harvard alumna, called for cutting funding, labeling the institution as embodying moral and academic decline in higher education. Federal grants account for 11% of Harvard’s annual budget, which totals $6.4 billion.