President Donald Trump announced plans on Friday to strip Harvard University of its tax-exempt status, intensifying his administration’s ongoing campaign against elite higher education institutions. The statement, made through a post on Trump’s social media platform, offered no details on the timing or legal basis for the action but reignited tensions between the federal government and the Ivy League institution.
“We are going to be taking away Harvard’s tax-exempt status. It’s what they deserve!” Trump wrote, without specifying how or when the move would take place.
Harvard quickly pushed back, calling the threat “unlawful and unprecedented.” In a statement, the university warned that rescinding its tax-exempt status could have significant negative impacts, including a reduction in funding for student scholarships, medical research, and technological advancements that support economic growth. “There is no legal basis to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status,” the school asserted.
Under U.S. law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not the president, is responsible for determining whether organizations meet the criteria for tax exemption. The IRS has not yet responded to Trump’s claims, and the White House has maintained that any IRS investigations would be conducted independently of presidential influence.
Since taking office, Trump has escalated his stance against major U.S. universities, accusing them of fostering antisemitism, Marxist ideologies, and radical leftist agendas. His administration has already taken steps such as freezing federal funding, launching investigations, and revoking student visas, all aimed at reshaping what he perceives as a politically biased academic system.
Recent actions against Harvard include scrutiny of its $9 billion in federal funding, investigations into foreign ties, and threats to limit foreign student admissions. The administration has also advocated for banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campuses and curbing certain campus protests.
In response, Harvard has filed lawsuits against the administration, particularly regarding halted U.S. research funding, and has joined over 200 other universities in protesting Trump’s education policies.
While Trump previously suggested ending Harvard’s tax-exempt status on April 15 Tax Day experts note that any attempt to revoke the university’s nonprofit status would likely face significant legal challenges.
The standoff highlights the broader ideological battle over the future direction of higher education in the United States.
