Trump Freezes $2.2 Billion in Harvard Grants Amid Dispute

President Donald Trump escalated his conflict with Harvard University by freezing $2.2 billion in federal grants after the institution refused to implement his demanded changes to hiring, admissions, and curriculum. Trump criticized Harvard publicly, calling it a 'joke' and arguing it should no longer receive federal funds or be considered among the world's top universities. He also threatened to strip the university of its tax-exempt status, intensifying a broader campaign against elite educational institutions. Harvard's defiance of the administration's orders, including resisting demands to eliminate diversity programs and report on foreign-born students' activism, was noted and even praised by late-night commentators. The standoff between Trump and Harvard has become a focal point in national debates over academic freedom and federal oversight of higher education.