WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Harvard University on Truth Social early Wednesday morning, calling the institution a “joke,” “woke,” and “no longer a decent place of learning,” while urging that it be stripped of federal funding.
In his sharply worded post, Trump criticized the university for hiring what he labeled as “two of the WORST and MOST INCOMPETENT mayors”—a reference to former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who have both joined Harvard in teaching roles related to municipal governance.
“These two Radical Left fools left behind two cities that will take years to recover from their incompetence and evil,” Trump wrote in his post, accusing the Ivy League school of pushing progressive ideologies by hiring “woke, Radical Left, idiots and ‘birdbrains.’”
He also referenced Claudine Gay, Harvard’s former president who stepped down earlier this year amid plagiarism allegations and backlash following her congressional testimony on antisemitism. Without directly naming her, Trump lambasted Harvard’s decision to retain her in another academic role rather than removing her entirely.
“They moved this grossly inept woman into another position, teaching, rather than firing her ON THE SPOT,” he said. “Since then much else has been found out about her, but she remains in place.”
The president’s remarks reflect an ongoing conservative backlash against elite universities, which critics say have become politically biased and unaccountable. Trump has repeatedly attacked academic institutions in recent years for promoting what he terms “woke ideology.”
In concluding his post, Trump declared, “Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds.”
No Official Harvard Response Yet
As of Wednesday morning, Harvard University had not issued a response to Trump’s remarks. The university has faced mounting scrutiny from lawmakers and donors in recent months following its handling of issues related to academic freedom, antisemitism, and administrative accountability.
This latest rebuke by the president adds to his broader campaign narrative, which focuses on battling what he describes as institutional corruption and left-wing indoctrination across education, government, and media.
Political Implications
Trump’s comments could signal potential executive or legislative actions aimed at restricting federal funds to universities deemed to violate conservative ideals. It also comes amid an election cycle in which Trump has increasingly leaned into cultural grievances and education policy as major issues.
While some supporters applauded the post on Truth Social, critics argue that undermining prestigious academic institutions could hurt U.S. global standing in research and innovation.
More updates are expected as reactions from lawmakers and university officials continue to unfold.
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