'It's what they deserve': Trump vows to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status

Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he plans to strip Harvard University of its tax-exempt status, declaring, “It’s what they deserve!”

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US President Donald Trump has posted on his Truth Social handle that he plans to strip Harvard University of its tax-exempt status. He declared in a sharp message, “It’s what they deserve!”—a move likely to spark political and legal debate.

Trump had earlier threatened to cut off federal grants over what he claims is university’s failure to comply with White House demands on governance, campus protests, and foreign ties.

At a public event on Wednesday, Trump openly had suggested that his government may halt federal grants to Harvard. Referring to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, he said, “And it looks like we are not going to be giving them any more grants, right Linda? A grant is at our discretion and they are really not behaving well. So it’s too bad.”

The comments come amid a broader campaign by the Trump administration against Harvard and other educational institutions, primarily focused on their handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations following Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Trump officials have accused the Ivy League school of tolerating antisemitism on campus and failing to control speech they say crosses into extremism, reports Reuters.

Since early April, the administration has launched a formal review of nearly $9 billion in federal funding linked to Harvard, citing concerns over the university’s use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) frameworks, its alleged lack of transparency about foreign partnerships, and its handling of student activism. Specific demands have included banning DEI policies, restricting protests (especially involving face coverings), and disclosing ties with foreign governments and donors.

In response, Harvard pushed back, framing the administration’s demands as an attack on academic freedom and the First Amendment. The university also filed a lawsuit challenging the government’s decision to suspend around $2.3 billion in federal funds, while reaffirming its commitment to free expression and campus safety. University officials acknowledged the need to address discrimination but rejected what they described as politically motivated interference.

The Trump administration has expanded its scrutiny to other institutions as well, with officials warning that federal grants and privileges such as tax-exempt status and visas for foreign students could be at risk for colleges perceived to be promoting policies that clash with the administration’s stance. These include support for DEI, climate-related initiatives, and transgender rights.

Notably, several Jewish advocacy and interfaith groups have criticized the administration’s approach, arguing that it conflates criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza with antisemitism. They contend that many protestors are engaging in legitimate political expression and that suppressing such dissent undermines both academic integrity and civil liberties.

The growing tension underscores a fundamental clash between the Trump administration's education agenda and the autonomy of American universities, setting the stage for further legal and political confrontation.