The Opinions David Leonhardt: 'By the Time Trump Comes for Your University, It's Probably Too Late'
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Mar 27, 2025 
David Leonhardt, an insightful writer on higher education for Times Opinion, joins Patrick Healy to dissect the political pressures facing universities, especially under Trump’s influence. They explore the struggles of institutions dealing with intimidation and funding cuts while emphasizing the importance of asserting their value in society. Leonhardt also discusses how current campus debates, particularly around Israel and anti-Semitism, impact student safety. The conversation advocates for university accountability and necessary reforms in a changed political landscape.
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Authoritarian Playbook
- Trump's attacks on higher education mirror tactics used by authoritarians like Putin, Orban, and Erdogan.
- They target universities as sources of truth that threaten their control.
Vindictiveness and Domination
- Healy observes Trump's attacks on universities as driven by vindictiveness and a desire for domination, not educational vision.
- Trump targets those who oppose him and seeks to control institutions for power.
Destruction vs. Rebuilding
- Leonhardt distinguishes between Trump's destructive approach and some advisors' vision for a more conservative higher education.
- Figures like Christopher Rufo advocate for shrinking the liberal influence and fostering competition.