Harvard, again? Trump’s $2.2B fund freeze follows a familiar script; here’s how it all started

John Harvard statue looks over Harvard Yard at Harvard University in Cambridge - File Photo

Harvard University, one of the world's most prestigious institutions, was on Monday hit with a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze. The Trump administration cited the university’s alleged failure to address campus anti-Semitism and implement ideological reforms. At the heart of the standoff are sweeping federal demands: from “merit-based” hiring to audits of diversity offices and immigration screenings.

However, this is not the first high-stakes standoff between Trump and Harvard. Rather, it’s the latest chapter is a series of contentious encounters that have highlighted the ideological and financial tensions between the former president and the prestigious institution.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in April 2020, which included the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to assist colleges and universities facing unprecedented financial strain. Harvard University was initially allocated nearly $9 million under this program.

Donald Trump — then serving his first term as president — lashed out at Harvard, accusing the wealthy university of “taking advantage” of relief funds meant for struggling institutions. In a White House briefing, Trump said:

“Harvard should give back the money. They have one of the largest endowments anywhere in the country, maybe in the world.”

Trump’s criticism struck a populist chord, framing Harvard as an out-of-touch elite profiting from public money while millions of Americans faced job losses and economic collapse.

In response, Harvard issued a statement clarifying that it had not applied for the funds, and would not accept them, noting that the money was automatically allocated under a formula based on student enrolment.

“We are concerned that the intense focus by politicians and others on Harvard in connection with this program may undermine participation by the smaller institutions for whom the aid is intended,” the university said.

While Harvard’s withdrawal quelled immediate controversy, it also signalled a deepening ideological fault line: Trump viewed universities as bloated, political institutions. Universities, in turn, increasingly viewed his administration as hostile to higher education’s core values.

Prior to the CARES Act controversy, Harvard found itself embroiled in another funding dispute with the Trump administration, this time involving the Department of Education's Title VI program. In 2019, the department threatened to withdraw funding from a joint Harvard and University of North Carolina (UNC) program on Middle Eastern studies.

The Department of Education alleged that the program's curriculum was biased and anti-American, and that it failed to meet grant requirements. This move was widely seen as an attempt to exert ideological control over academic programs.

Scholars and civil liberties groups warned that the administration was overstepping its authority and infringing on academic freedom. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) called the move an attempt to impose “ideological conformity”.

Although the program eventually retained its funding, the episode set a precedent: the Trump administration was willing to weaponize federal education funding to pressure institutions on content, ideology, and even cultural representation.

So why does Harvard keep showing up in these battles? The answer lies in both Harvard’s symbolic power and Trump’s political playbook.

Symbol of Elite Academia: As the oldest and wealthiest university in the United States, Harvard represents the pinnacle of American higher education. For many on the populist right, it also symbolizes a coastal, liberal elite that is out of touch with working-class America.

Progressive Culture and Activism: Harvard has frequently been at the forefront of progressive causes — from climate divestment to racial justice and pro-Palestine protests. This makes it a natural target for cultural and ideological clashes.

High Stakes of Federal Support: Despite its endowment, Harvard receives billions in federal research grants, particularly in fields like medicine and public health. This gives federal agencies leverage — and presidents a platform to extract concessions or make political points.