David Vance SubstackRead More
The decision by the Trump regime to defund Harvard University is a justified response to that institution’s arrogant refusal to align with the administration’s priorities, particularly on issues like combating antisemitism, eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and ensuring universities align with American values.
Harvard, like other elite universities, receives $$$ billions in federal funding—about $9 billion in grants and contracts were at stake. The Trump administration, through its Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, sent Harvard this letter demanding sweeping changes to its policies.
As you can see it includes ending destructive DEI programs, adopting merit-based admissions, screening faculty hires for plagiarism, banning masks (except for religious or medical reasons), and preventing the admission of students deemed “hostile to American values.”
These demands seem very reasonable to me and all places of Education should conform. The Trump administration has framed these as necessary to curb antisemitism and “woke” ideology, which it argues foments division and undermines national interests.
Staggeringly, Harvard rejected these balanced demands, with President Alan Garber stating the university would not “surrender its independence” or compromise its constitutional rights.
In response, the administration froze $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts, and Trump himself suggested Harvard could lose its tax-exempt status if it continues to act as a “political entity” pushing ideological agendas. He’s right!
Harvard’s defiance shows an elitist entitlement mindset as it expects taxpayer dollars without any accountability. Let’s remember the many incidents of antisemitism on campus, particularly during pro-Hamas protests, evidence of a failure to maintain a safe environment for all students—something federal funding is contingent on under civil rights laws. The DEI programs are discriminatory, prioritising identity over merit, and directly conflict with Trump’s push to dismantle such initiatives across federal agencies. The plagiarism demand ties to the resignation of Harvard’s former clown president, Claudine Gay, after allegations of academic misconduct, reinforcing the narrative that the university lacks integrity in its leadership.
Now even though Harvard’s $53 billion endowment makes it less dependent on federal funds then others, it still demands public money while resisting oversight. Freezing these funds is one way to hold Harvard accountable, forcing it to choose between its woke principles and financial stability. It also sets a precedent for other universities to comply or face similar consequences, aligning higher education with the administration’s vision of fairness and free speech.
Harvard has been absolutely hopeless in protecting free speech, selectively protecting certain views while “de-platforming” others, contrary to the administration’s demand for open discourse. The mask ban and student admission criteria are seen as practical steps to prevent the radical activism that disrupts campus life.
I believe defunding Harvard is the right thing to do because it challenges an arrogant, ideologically driven institution that takes public funds but refuses to address antisemitism, prioritise merit, or respect the values of the taxpayers who support it.
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