The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday targeted Harvard University and said that taxpayer money should go to vocational and trade schools that train electricians and plumbers, and "not LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard".
Her comments come as the Trump administration is moving to cancel federal contracts with Harvard worth $100 million.
"The President is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values, but, most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society,” Leavitt told Fox News.
She also questioned why Harvard, with a $53 billion endowment, continues to receive federal funding while allegedly pushing "anti-American" ideology. “We need more apprentices, electricians, plumbers, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University,” she said.
President Donald Trump has signaled that in addition to terminating contracts, his administration may redirect $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard to trade schools nationwide.
Meanwhile, the state department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, has suspended all student and exchange visa appointments. Embassies and consulates have been instructed to halt all such appointments "until further guidance is issued." This measure is part of the administration’s broader crackdown on foreign students, some of whom have faced visa revocations or deportation due to participation in protests against the war in Gaza.
The administration also plans increased scrutiny of international applicants’ social media profiles as part of tightened vetting procedures.
Beijing criticised the suspension, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urging Washington to “safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China.”
Other governments have responded swiftly: Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have encouraged local universities to welcome displaced international students. One Taiwanese PhD student set to attend the University of California said the pause has left them “feeling uncertain.”
Meanwile, at Harvard, students staged protests as the administration moved to revoke all remaining federal financial contracts. Trump has accused the university of resisting federal oversight on admissions and hiring, alleging it has become a hub for anti-Semitic and "woke" ideology.
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order on the contract terminations, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday, the same day as Harvard’s graduation ceremony.
The university has launched legal challenges to block the withdrawal of its right to recruit and sponsor foreign students (who make up 27% of its student body) and to challenge funding cuts. Alumni are also preparing a separate lawsuit, scheduled to be filed June 9, according to filmmaker Anurima Bhargava, speaking at a virtual meeting of the alumni group Crimson Courage.
President Trump, however, remains resolute. On Monday, he declared he would prevail in his efforts against Harvard, claiming some foreign students at the university are “radicalised lunatics” and “troublemakers.”
Her comments come as the Trump administration is moving to cancel federal contracts with Harvard worth $100 million.
"The President is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values, but, most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society,” Leavitt told Fox News.
She also questioned why Harvard, with a $53 billion endowment, continues to receive federal funding while allegedly pushing "anti-American" ideology. “We need more apprentices, electricians, plumbers, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University,” she said.
Leavitt: "Electricians, plumbers -- we need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University. And that's what this administration's position is." pic.twitter.com/IwSYVrZ1sJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 28, 2025
President Donald Trump has signaled that in addition to terminating contracts, his administration may redirect $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard to trade schools nationwide.
Meanwhile, the state department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, has suspended all student and exchange visa appointments. Embassies and consulates have been instructed to halt all such appointments "until further guidance is issued." This measure is part of the administration’s broader crackdown on foreign students, some of whom have faced visa revocations or deportation due to participation in protests against the war in Gaza.
The administration also plans increased scrutiny of international applicants’ social media profiles as part of tightened vetting procedures.
Beijing criticised the suspension, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urging Washington to “safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China.”
Other governments have responded swiftly: Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have encouraged local universities to welcome displaced international students. One Taiwanese PhD student set to attend the University of California said the pause has left them “feeling uncertain.”
Meanwile, at Harvard, students staged protests as the administration moved to revoke all remaining federal financial contracts. Trump has accused the university of resisting federal oversight on admissions and hiring, alleging it has become a hub for anti-Semitic and "woke" ideology.
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order on the contract terminations, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday, the same day as Harvard’s graduation ceremony.
The university has launched legal challenges to block the withdrawal of its right to recruit and sponsor foreign students (who make up 27% of its student body) and to challenge funding cuts. Alumni are also preparing a separate lawsuit, scheduled to be filed June 9, according to filmmaker Anurima Bhargava, speaking at a virtual meeting of the alumni group Crimson Courage.
President Trump, however, remains resolute. On Monday, he declared he would prevail in his efforts against Harvard, claiming some foreign students at the university are “radicalised lunatics” and “troublemakers.”
You may also like
Argentine court declares a mistrial in the case over the death of soccer star Maradona
Govt sets a cool exports target for AC makers
Nationwide giving customers £100 cash in June - full list of those who qualify
Missing Mexican band feared dead as 5 bodies discovered in violence-hit state of Tamaulipas
MP: Three of a family killed, two injured in lightning incident
