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Sunday, Jun 01, 2025
Outside the box.
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
Karoline Leavitt defends federal funding cuts to Harvard, emphasizing support for trade schools over certain academic programs
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has publicly defended the Trump administration's decision to cut federal funding to Harvard University, citing concerns over the institution's values and the need to prioritize vocational education.
The administration has moved to cancel approximately 100 million dollars in federal contracts with Harvard, following previous cuts totaling 2.65 billion dollars.
President Donald Trump has also proposed redirecting an additional 3 billion dollars in grants to trade schools across the United States.
In a recent interview, Leavitt criticized academic programs at elite institutions, stating that taxpayer money should support vocational and trade schools that train professionals such as electricians and plumbers, rather than being allocated to "LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard." She emphasized the administration's focus on promoting practical, skill-based education to address labor shortages in trades and reduce perceived ideological bias in higher education.
Leavitt also questioned the justification for federal funding to Harvard, noting the university's substantial endowment of approximately 53 billion dollars.
She argued that institutions promoting values misaligned with American principles should not rely on taxpayer dollars.
The administration has accused Harvard of liberal bias and facilitating antisemitic behavior on campus, leading to the proposed funding cuts.
This stance aligns with the broader conservative agenda to promote practical job training and reduce perceived ideological bias in higher education.
The administration's actions have sparked significant public and political discourse, highlighting the ongoing debate over the role of federal funding in higher education and the prioritization of vocational training programs.
The administration has moved to cancel approximately 100 million dollars in federal contracts with Harvard, following previous cuts totaling 2.65 billion dollars.
President Donald Trump has also proposed redirecting an additional 3 billion dollars in grants to trade schools across the United States.
In a recent interview, Leavitt criticized academic programs at elite institutions, stating that taxpayer money should support vocational and trade schools that train professionals such as electricians and plumbers, rather than being allocated to "LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard." She emphasized the administration's focus on promoting practical, skill-based education to address labor shortages in trades and reduce perceived ideological bias in higher education.
Leavitt also questioned the justification for federal funding to Harvard, noting the university's substantial endowment of approximately 53 billion dollars.
She argued that institutions promoting values misaligned with American principles should not rely on taxpayer dollars.
The administration has accused Harvard of liberal bias and facilitating antisemitic behavior on campus, leading to the proposed funding cuts.
This stance aligns with the broader conservative agenda to promote practical job training and reduce perceived ideological bias in higher education.
The administration's actions have sparked significant public and political discourse, highlighting the ongoing debate over the role of federal funding in higher education and the prioritization of vocational training programs.
