Trump Considers Redirecting $3B Harvard Grants to Trade Schools Over Antisemitism Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that he may reallocate $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard University to trade schools, citing antisemitism concerns and national security risks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Harvard of harboring “very antisemitic” attitudes and failing to release key data on international students, whom he labeled “radicalized lunatics.”

Trump criticized the Ivy League institution for allegedly delaying the disclosure of foreign student lists. “We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics… should not be let back into our Country,” he stated.

The comments come shortly after Trump’s administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard. That move followed the university’s refusal to dismantle its diversity and inclusion programs, enhance cooperation with immigration authorities, and take stronger actions against antisemitism on campus.

Harvard pushed back, defending its stance on academic freedom and civil liberties, and has filed a lawsuit to recover the frozen funds. The university argues that the funding cut violates constitutional protections and undermines its ability to operate independently from political pressure.

Trump’s proposal to redirect the funds to vocational institutions is part of a broader political strategy aimed at reshaping federal education funding priorities. The move has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters praising the emphasis on trade education and critics warning of the risks of politicizing higher education. As Trump remains a central figure in national politics, his stance on elite universities like Harvard continues to shape post-election discourse.