Trump wants Harvard to 'apologise', says White House as funding fight escalates

US President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Harvard University, demanding that the institution apologise for what he and his administration claim is the promotion of antisemitism.

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told journalists on Tuesday, “Trump wants to see Harvard apologise. And Harvard should apologise.”

The statement follows Trump's post on Truth Social, where he warned that Harvard might lose its tax-exempt status. “Perhaps Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status and be taxed as a political entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired/supporting ‘sickness’? Remember, tax-exempt status is totally contingent on acting in the public interest!” he wrote.


Last week, the Trump administration froze over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts. The freeze came after Harvard refused to follow a new federal directive issued on April 3. The order demanded the dismantling of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, changes to its hiring and admissions policies, and cooperation with immigration checks for international students.

In response, Harvard said the directive violates the first amendment and oversteps the federal government’s legal authority. “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” the university said in a public statement.

The administration’s task force behind the funding freeze insists the measures are necessary to protect civil rights and ensure taxpayer accountability. Harvard, however, says it remains open to dialogue — but not to unlawful demands.