Why is Trump picking fights with Harvard? Biographer claims it's because he and his son didn't...

The Trump administration had announced it was freezing more than $2 billion in federal contracts and grants with Harvard University. (File photo)

Donald Trump's escalating campaign to restrict international student enrolment at Harvard University has reportedly drawn scrutiny from his biographer, Michael Wolff, who claimed that the US President's deep dislike of the top institutions may spring from a deep-seated personal grievance.

Wolff, who has written four books about Trump's time as president, said on The Daily Beast podcast that Trump is targeting these schools because his son, Barron, supposedly was not admitted into them. He further said that Trump's anger might go back even further, especially since he himself couldn't get into Harvard. "He didn't get into Harvard. So one of the Trump things is always holding a grudge against the Ivy League," Wolff said on the podcast.

The White House has, however, denied Wolff's allegations. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Trump "didn't need to apply" to Harvard to be successful. She called Harvard an "overrated, corrupt institution" in an email to The Daily Beast.

Class warfare or shakedown?

But another commentator has pointed to a different angle: class warfare. Trump, who won the last November election largely with support from white men without college degrees, now appears to be stirring up anger towards Harvard since it is one of the most elite universities in the US.

Brendan Boyle, a Democratic representative and Harvard graduate from 2005, told The Guardian, "Part of Trump’s political skill is figuring out how to portray himself as this working man’s populist hero even though he’s a billionaire who pisses in gold toilets."

He added, "Beating up on Harvard will probably help him among some in his base, but I do think most Americans recognise this for what it is: an attempted government takeover of higher education. That’s something that should actually worry all of us."

The Guardian also quoted Jason Johnson, a political scientist at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, as saying that the Trump administration's goal is to "intimidate and break down" institutions of higher learning in America because "that is where most of the resistance to their authoritarian tendencies is going to come from".

“They figure, if we can bankrupt Harvard, if we can embarrass Harvard, if we can put Harvard in a position of weakness or at least get them to bend the knee, then all the other institutions in America will follow. That’s why they’re doing this," he said.

Trump administration cut funding worth $3 billion to Harvard

Over the last couple of months, Trump's administration has threatened to cut billions in government money to Harvard University. They've also tried to stop it from enrolling international students. Trump has publicly said he wants only about 15 percent of foreign students at Harvard, down from the current 31 percent. He claims Harvard is letting in "troublemakers" and disrespecting the country, Al Jazeera reported.

This led to the Trump administration cancelling Harvard's permission to admit new foreign students. Harvard quickly went to court, calling this move "unlawful" and "clear retaliation". A judge has temporarily stopped this ban, giving Harvard a short break while the legal fight continues. Also, the US State Department has reportedly ordered stricter checks on everyone going to Harvard from outside the US, including looking at their social media. They might even refuse visas for private online activity, NDTV reported.