When You Can’t Get In, Just Shut It Down: Trump vs Harvard

Donald Trump is turning up the heat on Harvard University in a way we’ve never seen before. According to officials, his administration is now actively trying to end all federal contracts with the historic Ivy League school.

The General Services Administration just sent out a letter to every federal agency asking them to identify any current business with Harvard and explore ways to cancel those deals. Agencies are expected to report back by June 6.

This drastic move is the latest shot in Trump’s growing feud with Harvard. It started when the university pushed back on a federal task force’s sweeping demands to monitor admissions and faculty decisions—demands that many called overreaching and politically charged.

Trump hasn’t been quiet about his intentions. He recently suggested on Truth Social that he’s considering yanking $3 billion in grants from Harvard and redirecting the money to trade schools. He accused the university of antisemitism and of ignoring a Supreme Court ruling banning race-based admissions practices.

Let’s not forget, just last week the administration also tried to block Harvard from enrolling international students. That could’ve forced thousands of students—about 25% of the school’s population—to lose their legal status or transfer. A federal judge paused that order, but the fight isn’t over. Another hearing is coming up soon.

This isn’t the first Ivy League school Trump has clashed with. At Columbia University, the backlash over federal involvement and perceived betrayal of student rights ran so deep that students booed the president of the university during her commencement speech. Trust between students and leadership has hit rock bottom.

Now, with federal dollars and foreign students on the line, Harvard is staring down a full-blown political storm. Whether Trump’s strategy is about policy or payback, the nation’s oldest university is caught in the crossfire. And if this keeps up, the Ivy League as we know it might never look the same.