President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of debate with his latest proposal to strip $3 billion in federal grant money from Harvard University and redirect it to trade schools across the United States. Announced on May 26, 2025, via his Truth Social platform, Trump’s plan is part of an escalating feud with the Ivy League institution, which he accuses of fostering antisemitism and resisting his administration’s demands. The move has drawn cheers from supporters who see it as a bold investment in practical education, while critics argue it’s a politically motivated attack on academic freedom. As the nation grapples with this polarizing proposal, the question remains: Is this what voters expected from Trump’s second term?
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-hes-considering-taking-3-billion-grants-harvard-giving-it-trade-2025-05-26/)
Trump’s Proposal: A Shift in Federal Funding Priorities
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump declared, “I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!” The statement, echoed across platforms like X, reflects Trump’s ongoing campaign to reshape higher education by targeting elite universities he claims promote liberal bias and fail to address antisemitism. The $3 billion in question refers to federal grants previously awarded to Harvard, primarily for scientific and engineering research, which Trump seeks to reallocate to vocational institutions.
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-hes-considering-taking-3-billion-grants-harvard-giving-it-trade-2025-05-26/)
Trade schools, which focus on practical skills like welding, plumbing, and electrical work, have long been championed by Trump as a solution to workforce shortages. In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 10% increase in demand for skilled trades by 2030, with over 1.2 million job openings annually. Supporters argue that redirecting funds to these institutions could address this gap, boost economic mobility, and prioritize “real skills” over what some, like @PamBondiNewsX on X, call “woke degrees.” The proposal aligns with Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which emphasized vocational training as a counterpoint to traditional four-year degrees.
The Harvard Standoff: A Battle Over Control
Trump’s proposal comes amid a broader conflict with Harvard, which intensified after his January 2025 inauguration. In April, the administration froze $2.2 billion in Harvard’s federal grants and $60 million in contracts, citing the university’s refusal to comply with demands to overhaul its hiring, admissions, and curriculum policies. These demands included auditing faculty and student viewpoints for “viewpoint diversity,” eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and reporting international students involved in protests. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these conditions, calling them an unlawful attempt to control the university’s academic independence and a violation of First Amendment rights.
[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/us/harvard-trump-reject-demands.html)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/harvard-will-fight-trump-administration-demands-over-funding-2025-04-14/)
Last week, the Trump administration attempted to block Harvard from enrolling international students, who make up 27% of its 25,000-strong student body and contribute significantly to its $6 billion annual revenue. A federal judge in Massachusetts, Allison Burroughs, issued a temporary injunction on May 23, 2025, halting the policy, which Harvard described as “retaliation” for its defiance. Trump responded on Truth Social, accusing Harvard of withholding foreign student lists to protect “radicalized lunatics” and claiming the university had secured a favorable judge. Harvard has since sued to restore the frozen funds, arguing the cuts are unconstitutional.
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-hes-considering-taking-3-billion-grants-harvard-giving-it-trade-2025-05-26/)[](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/121416203.cms)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/donald-trump-mulls-giving-harvards-3-billion-worth-grant-to-trade-schools-so-badly-needed-101748265021244.html)
The administration has also threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and increase taxes on its $53 billion endowment, moves that could cost the university millions annually. These actions follow Trump’s allegations of antisemitism on campus, particularly tied to pro-Palestinian protests in 2024. While Harvard has implemented measures to address antisemitism, including increased security and disciplinary actions, Garber insists the university will not cede control to federal demands.
[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz01y9gkdm3o)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/harvard-will-fight-trump-administration-demands-over-funding-2025-04-14/)
Supporter Reactions: A Boost for the Working Class
The proposal has energized Trump’s base, with 94% of Republicans approving of his leadership, per a May 2025 J.L. Partners poll. On X, users like @DebbieAAldrich and @Mutnodjmet praised the plan as a win for America’s tradesmen, arguing that elite universities like Harvard have lost touch with the nation’s needs. They see the redirection of funds as a way to empower working-class Americans, especially in light of a 2023 National Association of Home Builders report noting a shortage of 500,000 construction workers. Supporters also echo Trump’s claim that Harvard’s funding—$9 billion annually, with $7 billion for its affiliated hospitals—has been misused to promote “anti-American” ideologies.
[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/us/politics/trump-university-funding-harvard.html)
Republican lawmakers, such as Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, have backed Trump’s push, with Stefanik posting on X that it’s “time to totally cut off US taxpayer funding” to Harvard. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that reallocating $3 billion to trade schools could fund training for 600,000 students annually, based on average program costs of $5,000 per student. For many GOP voters, this aligns with Trump’s promise to prioritize practical education and economic self-reliance.
[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz01y9gkdm3o)
Critic Perspectives: An Attack on Academic Freedom
Critics, including Harvard’s leadership and Democratic allies, view the proposal as a dangerous overreach. Former President Barack Obama posted on X, calling Harvard’s resistance “an example for other higher-ed institutions” in rejecting “unlawful” attempts to stifle academic freedom. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey congratulated Harvard for standing against what she called a “brazen attempt to bully schools.” Harvard’s lawsuit argues that the funding cuts violate federal law, as the grants are tied to specific research projects, such as those at Harvard’s affiliated hospitals like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which could face disruptions.
[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/15/harvards-2-3bn-gamble-what-trump-demanded-how-the-university-resisted)
A 2024 report from United for Medical Research highlights that every dollar of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding generates $2.56 in economic activity, supporting 408,000 jobs nationwide. Freezing Harvard’s $2.2 billion in grants has already led to stop-work orders, including one affecting tuberculosis research at Harvard’s School of Public Health. Critics warn that redirecting funds could jeopardize medical advancements and harm communities reliant on university-affiliated hospitals.
[](https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/trump-administration-freezes-2-2-billion-in-grants-to-harvard/)[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/15/us/universities-responses-investigations-funding-freeze/index.html)
Legal experts question whether Trump can unilaterally redirect funds, as federal grants are typically allocated by Congress for specific purposes. The White House has not clarified which funds would be targeted or how they would be reallocated, prompting skepticism about the plan’s feasibility. Harvard’s $64 billion in assets, including its $53 billion endowment, gives it financial resilience, but the loss of federal funding could still strain operations.
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-hes-considering-taking-3-billion-grants-harvard-giving-it-trade-2025-05-26/)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/harvard-trump-funding-endowment.html)
Broader Context: Trump’s War on Elite Institutions
Trump’s proposal is part of a larger campaign to pressure elite universities, including Columbia, Cornell, and Northwestern, where funding freezes of $400 million, $1 billion, and $790 million, respectively, have been enacted. The administration cites antisemitism and “liberal bias” as justifications, pointing to 2024 campus protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Columbia, unlike Harvard, agreed to some demands, such as banning masks at protests and hiring additional security, to restore funding. Trump’s actions reflect a broader push to align institutions with his agenda, with similar pressure applied to media and law firms.
[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/15/us/universities-responses-investigations-funding-freeze/index.html)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/harvard-rejects-trump-administration-demands-threats-funding-cuts-rcna201203)
The focus on trade schools taps into a growing sentiment, with 68% of Americans in a 2024 Gallup poll saying college degrees are not worth the cost. Trump’s rhetoric resonates with voters frustrated by rising tuition—Harvard’s annual cost exceeds $80,000—and student debt, which totals $1.7 trillion nationally. However, critics argue that pitting trade schools against universities creates a false dichotomy, as both serve vital roles in the economy.
[](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/26/trump-threatens-harvard-grants-trade-schools/83861880007/)
Public Sentiment and Political Implications
Posts on X reveal a polarized response. Users like @TheChiefNerd and @intheMatrixxx celebrate the plan as a “great investment,” while others, like @Bubblebathgirl, advocate defunding all universities. Conversely, academics and Democrats warn of long-term damage to U.S. innovation, with 78% of independents in a May 2025 CNN poll opposing cuts to university research funding. Trump’s overall approval rating remains at 39-45%, with independents (31%) and Democrats (4%) largely disapproving, per Gallup and Pew Research.
[](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-harvard-trade-schools-3-billion-grant-money/)
As the 2026 midterms approach, the proposal could galvanize Trump’s base but risks alienating moderates concerned about economic fallout from his trade policies, including tariffs that 58% of Americans oppose, per Reuters/Ipsos. The legal battle with Harvard, now before a federal court, may determine whether the administration can proceed, with potential Supreme Court implications.
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-hes-considering-taking-3-billion-grants-harvard-giving-it-trade-2025-05-26/)
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Education Policy
President Trump’s plan to redirect $3 billion from Harvard to trade schools encapsulates his second term’s bold, divisive approach. For supporters, it’s a long-overdue shift toward practical education and a rebuke of elite institutions. For critics, it’s an assault on academic freedom and scientific progress. As legal and political battles unfold, the outcome will shape the future of U.S. education funding and the balance between vocational and academic priorities. Did voters envision this when they cast their ballots in 2024? The debate is just beginning.
What are your thoughts on Trump’s proposal? Share your views in the comments and join the conversation on this pivotal issue.
