President Donald Trump has slammed Harvard University, accusing foreign countries of paying nothing toward the education of their students studying at the school. He made these remarks amid a legal battle between the Trump administration and Harvard over the university’s foreign student visa program.
Trump claimed that about 31 percent of Harvard’s students come from foreign countries that do not contribute to their education costs. Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, he demanded Harvard reveal the names and countries of these students. He also questioned why Harvard continues to ask the U.S. government for money despite having large financial resources.
Harvard receives billions of dollars in federal funding, much of which supports research and other university activities. Trump urged the university to use its own funds rather than rely on government grants.
The dispute escalated when the Department of Homeland Security tried to end Harvard’s student visa program. The government accused Harvard of not providing important behavioral records about foreign students, including videos of protests and disciplinary actions.
Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit, calling the government’s actions a violation of constitutional rights such as free speech and due process. The university said the demand for detailed records was unfair and rushed, affecting more than 7,000 international students, nearly one-quarter of Harvard’s student body.
A judge temporarily blocked the government from canceling Harvard’s visa program while the case proceeds.
The conflict has led to at least a dozen Harvard students losing their visas due to their involvement in protests on campus. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government had already revoked thousands of student visas and would continue to do so.
Additionally, the U.S. government has frozen close to \$3 billion in federal funds to Harvard, mainly research money. This action followed complaints that Harvard had not acted decisively on antisemitism protests and had not removed diversity and inclusion programs, which some officials view as problematic.
The Harvard case reflects wider tensions in the U.S. over immigration, academic freedom, and campus activism, showing how education and politics are increasingly intertwined.
