Trump Threatens Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status Amidst Growing Tensions
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his intention to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, intensifying his confrontation with the prestigious institution following its refusal to cooperate with his administration’s directives.
On Friday, Trump expressed his stance on social media from Palm Beach, Florida, stating, “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” This statement is part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing what he views as unchecked political activism on college campuses.
Harvard’s tax-exempt status has been under scrutiny since the university resisted the administration’s requests for significant changes in leadership, admissions policies, and diversity evaluations. As a result, the Trump administration has already withheld over $2 billion in federal funding from the university.
Following Trump’s comments in mid-April, the Treasury Department directed IRS officials to investigate Harvard’s tax status. However, the White House has indicated that this scrutiny began before Trump’s public remarks, with assurances that IRS actions will be carried out independently of the president.
Democratic leaders have criticized Trump, suggesting that his actions against Harvard are politically motivated. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, among others, have called for an investigation into these threats, arguing that they raise serious constitutional concerns about free speech and due process.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration frames this conflict as part of a larger campaign to combat antisemitism on college campuses while appealing to his supporters who are often critical of elite institutions. "The next chapter of the American story will not be written by The Harvard Crimson," Trump declared during his recent commencement speech at the University of Alabama, drawing a contrast between the two schools.
In addition to targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status, the administration is also seeking to limit the university’s ability to enroll international students, furthering its agenda against what it perceives as an elitist educational system.
