Donald Trump is stirring controversy again, this time by targeting Harvard University. The former president has called for federal agencies to cut ties with the Ivy League school, claiming it’s “very antisemitic” and proposing that its funding be redirected to trade schools across the U.S.
The spark behind this battle? An ongoing legal fight over access to foreign student records. Harvard has sued the federal government to reclaim $3.2 billion in frozen grant money, escalating the tension between the school and Trump.
Trump’s Public Swipe at Harvard
On Truth Social, Trump blasted Harvard and floated the idea of redirecting federal dollars. “What a great investment that would be for the USA,” he wrote, as rumors swirled that personal grievances may be part of the push.
Online speculation quickly followed. One viral theory claimed Trump’s anger was triggered by his son Barron being rejected by Harvard, a claim that set social media buzzing. Even Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joined the conversation, wondering aloud how many Trumps might have faced rejection from elite universities.
In a 2024 Daily Mail interview, Trump addressed his son’s college plans, saying Barron was accepted to several schools but ultimately chose NYU’s Stern School of Business. “He liked the school,” Trump said. “It’s a very high-quality place.”
As the theory gained traction, Melania Trump’s team finally responded. Her spokesperson, Nicholas Clemens, called the claims “completely false,” adding that Barron “did not apply to Harvard” and no one applied on his behalf either.
Melania’s statement draws a firm line: her son is not part of the political noise surrounding the Trump-Harvard feud. Still, given Trump’s history of personalizing political battles, some wonder if there’s more beneath the surface.
