Trump Slams Harvard as ‘Joke, Teaches Hate’ Threatens to Strip Federal Funds Over Anti-Semitism Row

US President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on Harvard University, calling it a “joke” that “teaches hate,” as tensions escalate over anti-Semitism allegations and federal funding.

President Donald Trump intensified his feud with Harvard University on Wednesday, sharply criticizing the institution for resisting federal oversight and accusing it of fostering anti-Semitism and “stupidity.”

In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump declared that Harvard “can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning” and demanded that it be removed from global rankings of top universities. “Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds,” he wrote.

The comments come after Trump threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and froze $2.2 billion in federal funding. He has also demanded structural changes in the university’s administration, admissions, and academic auditing.

Harvard President Alan Garber pushed back against the White House’s demands, stating that the university “would not negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights.”

Garber’s response signals a rare confrontation between the Ivy League institution and the federal government, as other universities under similar pressure have reportedly made concessions.

The Trump administration has cited a surge of anti-Israel protests on campuses—linked to the Gaza conflict—as justification for increased scrutiny and funding restrictions. Harvard has been among the most vocal in defending student and faculty rights to protest.

Trump has accused the university of fostering an environment that supports the Palestinian group Hamas, labeling recent demonstrations as examples of “unchecked anti-Semitism.”

Trump’s criticism of Harvard is part of a broader campaign targeting elite educational institutions. His administration has questioned race-based affirmative action policies and threatened dozens of colleges with funding cuts over diversity mandates.

Observers note that the former president’s rhetoric is aimed at reshaping the country’s higher education system, especially in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.

As the standoff deepens, legal experts predict a constitutional battle over academic freedom and federal power. With Harvard standing firm, the showdown is likely to become a flashpoint in Trump’s ongoing war with America’s elite universities.