When President Trump returned to the White House, he reignited his culture war, and this time Harvard found itself in the crosshairs.
The administration labeled Harvard a “hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism,” freezing federal funding, threatening its tax-exempt status, and suspending its international student certification.
These measures come amid rising antisemitism controversies on U.S. campuses. But many see Harvard as more than a target—it’s a symbol. Long viewed as a bastion of elite liberal values and a global icon of American higher education, Harvard’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have become a focal point for conservative critics.
So why Harvard? Conservatives, fueled by voices like Vice President JD Vance—who once called professors “the enemy”—have pressed for an “honest and aggressive attack” on campuses. Early in his second term, President Trump froze grants, scrutinized some 60 colleges for alleged antisemitic discrimination, and clamped down on international admissions.
Harvard’s refusal to bow—suing the administration over student visa restrictions and rejecting federal oversight of its policies—has only intensified the battle. For Trump and his allies, taking aim at Harvard sends a clear message: no institution is too prestigious to challenge.
As the standoff unfolds, Harvard’s prominence makes it an ideal battleground. The outcome could reshape how universities navigate politics, funding, and global engagement—setting the stage for the next round in America’s enduring culture war.
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Why does Harvard stand at the forefront of Trump's culture war?
cgtn.com
