FT News Briefing
Swamp Notes: Trump takes on higher ed
May 10, 2025
Join Andrew Jack, the FT's Global Education Editor, and Myles McCormick, Acting Washington Correspondent, as they dissect Trump's ongoing battle against elite universities. Harvard's dramatic funding loss for rejecting federal demands takes the spotlight, along with Columbia's struggle despite compliance. They explore the potential repercussions for more institutions, the Republican Party’s broader campaign against higher education, and the financial implications of these conflicts on student access and innovation.
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Quick takeaways
- The Trump administration's funding freeze on Harvard exemplifies a broader conflict with elite universities over diversity and equity policies.
- The implications of federal grant cuts extend beyond universities, threatening research progress, job stability, and local economic development.
Deep dives
Trump's Standoff with Elite Universities
The administration has initiated a conflict with several prominent universities, most notably Harvard, by freezing significant federal grants. Harvard is particularly affected, facing a $2.3 billion funding freeze due to its refusal to alter admissions and diversity policies as demanded by the Trump administration. This confrontational approach is part of a broader agenda against what is perceived as 'woke' culture within elite educational institutions that have been accused of anti-Semitism. Other universities like Columbia and Cornell have adhered to some requests to avoid funding cuts, but Harvard's strong opposition has intensified tensions, leading to legal actions against the administration's demands.
