ABC News Daily Why Trump’s at war with Harvard University
May 8, 2025
Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center, discusses the fierce showdown between Donald Trump and Harvard University. Trump’s targeting of Harvard over alleged anti-Semitism leads to a heated debate on academic freedom and government pressure. The conversation dives into the historical role of Harvard in American education, the ideological rifts on campus, and the political calculations behind Trump’s executive actions. Kabaservice examines the implications for free speech and the American public's response to elite institutions.
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Trump's Fight is Authoritarianism
- Donald Trump demands Harvard reform over alleged anti-Semitism but targets repressive control over academia.
- Geoffrey Kabaservice calls this authoritarianism, not just a fight against anti-Semitism.
Harvard's Global Prestige
- Harvard is the oldest and richest university in the world with $53 billion endowment.
- It is a global leader in scientific discovery and cultural achievement, with prestigious academic reputation.
Harvard's Ideological Imbalance
- Harvard has shifted too far left politically, including under its own president's admission.
- Intellectual diversity suffers, with few conservatives welcoming their views and a climate discouraging free speech.