Trump Threatens to Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status Amid Ongoing Conflict with Elite Universities Over Antisemitism Claims.
Massachusetts (Quds News Network)- U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he plans to strip Harvard University of its tax-exempt status, intensifying his campaign against elite institutions in the United States over antisemitism claims. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump declared, “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” He did not specify when this action would take place or provide further details.
Since taking office, Trump has pressured major U.S. universities through various means, including freezing federal funding and launching investigations. He claims that higher education is dominated by anti-Semitic and Marxist ideologies. Harvard has pushed back against these attacks, filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration for halting federal research funding and joining over 200 university leaders in protesting Trump’s education policies.
Under U.S. law, non-profit organizations, including universities, are exempt from federal income taxes to support public welfare. The IRS grants this status, but it can be revoked under certain conditions. Trump’s administration has threatened to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard, citing the university’s refusal to comply with his demands, which included banning masks and eliminating diversity programs, demands that crack down on free speech on campus.
In response to Trump’s threats, Harvard spokesman Jason Newton stated, “There is no legal basis to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status.” He warned that such an unprecedented move would jeopardize the university’s educational mission. A group of Senate Democrats has also called for an investigation into Trump’s plans, arguing that targeting tax-exempt entities for political retribution is both illegal and unconstitutional.
Harvard receives approximately $9 billion annually from the federal government, with a significant portion supporting research and medical programs. The university’s endowment stands at $53.2 billion, the largest of any U.S. institution. Newton emphasized that revoking the tax-exempt status would lead to reduced financial aid for students and hinder critical research initiatives, ultimately threatening the future of higher education in America.
