Trump Orders Colleges to Disclose Foreign Funding

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating that U.S. colleges and universities fully disclose all foreign funding, with the threat of losing federal aid for non-compliance. The measure is intended to strengthen enforcement of longstanding but under-enforced laws requiring disclosure of significant foreign gifts and contracts, following concerns about inadequate transparency, national security risks, and possible foreign influence on American campuses. The order directs the Department of Education, working with other federal agencies, to audit, investigate, and hold institutions accountable, reversing prior administrative actions that made tracking foreign funds more difficult. Supporters, including pro-Israel groups, argue the move will curb unwanted foreign influence, while some higher education associations warn it could impede academic collaboration and expand government oversight. Reports have revealed that elite American universities have received tens of billions of dollars in foreign funding over recent decades, often with little public disclosure. The administration frames this action as essential to protecting academic integrity and safeguarding national interests.