Biden's Harvard Visit Highlights Campus, Federal Tensions

Former President Joe Biden made a surprise appearance at Harvard University's Institute of Politics, addressing about 50 students in a private seminar led by adviser Mike Donilon. Biden praised Harvard for resisting demands from the Trump administration to overhaul campus policies on antisemitism and diversity, actions that led to a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze. During the event, Biden confused Ukraine with Iraq and dropped a melting ice cream bar, incidents which drew scrutiny due to his history of gaffes that played a role in his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Outside, pro-Palestinian protesters accused Biden of supporting genocide, and their demonstrations, along with media coverage, compromised the event's secrecy. The visit highlighted ongoing tensions between elite universities and the federal government over free speech and campus policies. Students later shared their impressions of the event on social media.