The Gist Mike Stops by The Reason Roundtable
May 31, 2025
Mike Pesca chats with Matt Welch, Nick Gillespie, and Catherine Mangu-Ward, prominent voices from The Reason Roundtable. They dive into Trump's contentious relationship with Harvard, discussing the implications for free speech and academic values. The conversation also touches on the 'tall poppy syndrome,' governmental overreach in higher education, and the complexities of university funding. They even explore the impact of cryptocurrency on politics, with a critical eye on recent developments like the promotion of a 'Trump coin.' A must-listen for those intrigued by the intersection of education and politics!
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Risks of Federal Overreach
- Trump's war on Harvard exploits federal power to punish a chosen institution, illustrating dangers of government overreach.
- Federal control provides many avenues for attack, threatening broad institutions beyond Harvard.
State Power as Weapon
- Trump uses state power to silence and punish opponents rather than promote reform.
- Even if institutions err, weaponizing government power to retaliate harms democracy.
Cutting Harvard Hurts Research
- Trump’s attack on Ivy League campuses includes immigration bans harming foreign students and research.
- Cutting Harvard funding may delay critical medical breakthroughs, adding human suffering.