Donald Trump vs. Harvard: A History of Legal Battles and Ideological Clashes

Although Donald Trump did not attend Harvard University—earning his degree from the University of Pennsylvania instead—his presidency saw repeated and contentious clashes with the institution, especially over issues like international student enrollment, campus protests, and perceived liberal bias.

Key flashpoints included legal battles after the Trump administration attempted to revoke Harvard’s ability to host foreign students and slash federal funding, moves the university challenged in court with some success.

Trump’s administration also threatened to cut Harvard’s tax-exempt status and labeled the university a hub of antisemitism and anti-conservative sentiment. Despite the tension, Harvard held firm on its values and legal rights, defending its diverse academic community and global mission.

Donald Trump and Harvard University: A History of Conflict, Not Collaboration

While Harvard University boasts a long list of prominent alumni, including eight U.S. Presidents, Donald J. Trump is not among them. His academic background includes two years at Fordham University before transferring to the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in economics in 1968.

Despite not being an alumnus, Harvard University and Donald Trump, particularly during his presidency, have been frequently intertwined in a relationship characterized by significant legal battles and ideological clashes.

Donald Trump’s Education

Donald Trump’s formal education history is as follows:

• New York Military Academy: He attended this private boarding school from 1959-1964.
• Fordham University: Trump enrolled here in 1964 and studied for two years.
• University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce: He transferred to Wharton in 1966 and graduated in May 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.

The Trump Administration and Harvard: A Strained Relationship

The most prominent connection between Donald Trump and Harvard University stems from a series of highly public and often contentious disputes that escalated during his presidency. These conflicts largely centered on the Trump administration’s efforts to influence or penalize Harvard and other elite universities, driven by conservative complaints about perceived liberal bias and issues such as alleged antisemitism on campuses.

Key areas of friction included:

• International Student Enrollment: A major point of contention arose when the Trump administration sought to restrict Harvard’s ability to host international students.
  • In April 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded a trove of records from Harvard concerning any dangerous or illegal activity by foreign students.
  • In May 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly withdrew Harvard’s certification to host foreign students and issue visa paperwork, citing inadequate response to their demands. This action would have affected approximately 7,000 international students (about a quarter of Harvard’s total enrollment), potentially forcing them to transfer or risk losing their legal status in the U.S. New foreign students would have been barred from enrolling.
  • Harvard promptly sued the DHS, arguing that the action was unlawful retaliation for the university’s refusal to comply with White House demands regarding campus protest policies, admissions, faculty hiring, and other internal matters.
  • U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs temporarily blocked the measure shortly after Harvard’s lawsuit was filed.
  • In early June 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation to block foreign students from entering the U.S. to attend Harvard, citing a different legal justification. Harvard challenged this as well, and Judge Burroughs again issued a temporary block.
  • As of June 20, 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction, indefinitely pausing the Trump administration’s bid to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, allowing international students to continue studying at the university while the legal case proceeds. Trump, however, claimed on Truth Social that a “deal” with Harvard was possible “over the next week or so” regarding “their largescale improprieties.”
• Funding Cuts and Threats to Tax-Exempt Status: The Trump administration also took more direct financial actions against Harvard.
  • Officials cut over $2.6 billion in research grants and ended federal contracts.
  • There were threats to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
  • In April 2025, Trump asked agencies to cut $100 million from Harvard’s federal contracts.
• Ideological Conflicts: Trump and his allies frequently criticized Harvard and other prestigious universities, labeling them as “unaccountable bastions of liberal, anti-conservative bias and antisemitism.” Harvard, for its part, maintained its commitment to “core, legally-protected principles” even in the face of federal pressure, while also taking steps to address concerns about antisemitism.

Harvard’s Stance and Impact

Harvard consistently pushed back against the administration’s actions, emphasizing the vital role of international students in its academic and research endeavors. The university’s lawsuits highlighted that “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” and argued that the administration’s moves created an environment of “profound fear, concern, and confusion” among students.

Notable Harvard Alumni (No Donald Trump)

Harvard University has a storied history of producing influential figures across various fields. Its distinguished alumni include:

• U.S. Presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Barack Obama.
• Political Figures: Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Henry Kissinger, Al Gore, Sheryl Sandberg.
• Business Leaders: Bill Gates (did not graduate but attended), Mark Zuckerberg (did not graduate), Michael Bloomberg, Steve Ballmer, Ratan Tata.
• Artists and Entertainers: Natalie Portman, Matt Damon, Conan O’Brien, Rashida Jones, Neil deGrasse Tyson, T.S. Eliot.
• Other Prominent Figures: Historians, Nobel Prize winners, legal scholars, and journalists.

In conclusion, while Donald Trump himself did not attend Harvard University, his presidency significantly shaped the public discourse and legal landscape surrounding the esteemed institution, creating a period of intense scrutiny and direct confrontation.

FAQs about Donald Trump vs Harvard University

Did Donald Trump attend Harvard University?
No, Donald Trump did not attend Harvard. He studied at Fordham University and graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.

What is Donald Trump’s educational background?
Trump attended the New York Military Academy, spent two years at Fordham University, and then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where he earned a B.S. in economics.

Why is there tension between Donald Trump and Harvard University?
The tension stems from legal and ideological conflicts during Trump’s presidency, particularly around immigration, funding, and claims of liberal bias.

What was the issue with international students at Harvard during Trump’s presidency?
Trump’s administration tried to restrict Harvard’s ability to host international students by revoking visa certifications, prompting lawsuits from the university.

Did Harvard win its legal battles against Trump’s administration?
Harvard secured temporary and preliminary court blocks against the administration’s efforts to bar foreign students, allowing them to remain enrolled.

How many students would have been affected by the visa restrictions?
Approximately 7,000 international students at Harvard, about a quarter of its total enrollment, would have been impacted.

Did Trump threaten Harvard’s federal funding?
Yes, his administration cut over $2.6 billion in research grants and moved to eliminate $100 million more in federal contracts.

Was Harvard’s tax-exempt status at risk?
Yes, the Trump administration threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status as part of broader attacks on elite universities.

What were Trump’s ideological criticisms of Harvard?
He and his allies accused Harvard of harboring liberal, anti-conservative, and antisemitic biases.

How did Harvard respond to the administration’s actions?
Harvard emphasized its legal rights, academic integrity, and the essential role of international students in its community.

Did Trump claim a resolution was possible?
In June 2025, Trump claimed a “deal” with Harvard might be reached soon, although court proceedings were still underway.

Who are some prominent Harvard alumni?
Notable alumni include U.S. Presidents like Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy, business leaders like Michael Bloomberg, and public figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

How does Harvard view international students?
Harvard argues international students are vital to its academic and research missions, stating “without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”

Is Donald Trump’s conflict with Harvard ongoing?
As of June 2025, legal actions were still in progress, with temporary rulings in Harvard’s favor but no final resolution.