Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering reallocating $3 billion in federal grants currently designated for Harvard University to support trade and vocational schools across the country. This move is part of his broader criticism of elite academic institutions, which he accuses of promoting “radical ideologies” and failing to cooperate with federal oversight.
Trump’s remarks, delivered during a Memorial Day address, emphasized his intent to defund what he described as “very antisemitic institutions” and redirect resources to educational paths that lead directly to employment. “We will take back money from Harvard and other radical schools and invest it in real-world skills training,” he said.
The initiative comes after Trump claimed Harvard refused to disclose the names of foreign students allegedly involved in anti-Israel protests. He has vowed to “de-radicalize” American education by boosting vocational alternatives.
Earlier, the Trump-aligned education oversight team froze $3 billion in federal grants to Harvard, including $60 million earmarked for biomedical research. Harvard has responded by launching legal challenges, accusing the administration of violating academic independence and unfairly targeting the university based on political motivations.
Analysts see Trump’s plan as a campaign strategy aimed at blue-collar voters and as part of a broader narrative challenging elite institutions’ values and practices. Meanwhile, education advocates warn that politicizing university funding could set a troubling precedent.
