Trump Escalates Row with Harvard, Says University Should be Taxed as Political Entity
The ongoing feud between US President Donald Trump and Harvard University has taken a dramatic turn, with Trump threatening to tax the prestigious institution as a political entity unless it complies with his administration’s demands.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump lashed out at Harvard, claiming the university is “pushing political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired sickness” and should therefore lose its tax-exempt status. He wrote, “If Harvard keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired sickness, perhaps it should be taxed as a political entity? Just saying!”
This latest salvo comes on the heels of a decision by Trump’s administration to freeze $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard, which the university had rejected. The administration had demanded that Harvard step up its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, as well as increase its support for the Trump administration’s policies.
Harvard has long been a bastion of liberal thought and politics, and has been a thorn in the side of Trump’s conservative agenda. The university has a reputation for attracting and nurturing talented students and scholars from around the world, many of whom go on to become leaders in their respective fields.
Trump’s attack on Harvard is not without precedent. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump famously suggested that the university was “a total disaster” and that its students were “not even smart enough to get into Harvard”. His latest comments have been widely criticized by academics and politicians alike, who see them as an attempt to bully and intimidate one of the country’s most respected institutions of higher learning.
Harvard has responded to Trump’s attacks by reaffirming its commitment to academic freedom and intellectual diversity. In a statement, the university said, “Harvard University values academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. We will continue to uphold these values and promote a culture of inclusivity and respect, regardless of external pressures or threats.”
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze funding to Harvard is also seen as a classic example of the “teaching to the test” approach, where funding is tied to specific policy goals and outcomes. This approach has been widely criticized by educators and policymakers, who argue that it stifles creativity and innovation, and can lead to a narrow focus on test scores rather than deeper learning.
In this context, Trump’s threat to tax Harvard as a political entity is seen as a desperate attempt to exert control over the university and its curriculum. By labeling Harvard as a “political entity”, Trump is attempting to discredit the university and undermine its credibility. However, this approach is unlikely to succeed, as Harvard is a private institution with a long history of independence and academic freedom.
In conclusion, Trump’s latest attack on Harvard is a classic example of the “bully pulpit” approach, where the President uses his platform to intimidate and bully his opponents. While Trump’s supporters may see this approach as a sign of strength and courage, it is in fact a sign of weakness and desperation. Harvard, like many other institutions of higher learning, is committed to upholding the values of intellectual freedom and diversity, and will continue to do so regardless of external pressures or threats.
