Trump's Revenge Against Harvard is Anti-MAGA

The Trump Administration’s move to block international students from enrolling and studying at Harvard is a disgraceful, baseless act of hostility—one of the most reckless and xenophobic decisions it has made since returning to power. You don’t make America Great Again by recklessly attacking its leading institutions. 

Trump has made Harvard the prime target in his relentless war on higher education, not because of any legitimate grievance, but because it checks every box on his political enemies list. It’s in Massachusetts, a state he views with contempt for its liberal values. It symbolizes elite academia and intellectual rigor—everything his brand of anti-intellectual populism seeks to tear down. Most of all, it is a bastion of progressive thought, like DEI and global inclusion, both of which he despises.

This move isn’t about policy. It’s about payback and pandering. By attacking Harvard, he throws red meat to his base—the same reactionary voters who cheered his return to power and who see universities not as engines of opportunity but as threats to their worldview. It's a calculated strike meant to punish difference, reward ignorance, and send a chilling message to every institution that dares to challenge him.

Harvard’s President Garber said it best in a letter this morning to students and faculty: This action “continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government’s illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body.” His letter concludes:

“We strongly oppose this unjust action, which threatens the futures of thousands of students and scholars at Harvard and beyond. We've filed a legal complaint and will seek a temporary restraining order, while continuing to support our international community and provide ongoing updates.”

I fully support President Garber’s position and the legal actions taken in response to the Trump Administration’s policies.

Trump’s move to block international students from schools like Harvard directly threatens America’s innovation edge over China. Nearly 44% of U.S. unicorns are founded by immigrants, and Harvard ranks among the top schools producing startup founders. At least 23 of its unicorns—including Stripe and CloudFlare—were launched by international students who wouldn’t have been allowed under Trump’s policy. This is a self-inflicted blow to the U.S. economy and its leadership in tech.

The takeaway: For decades, America’s universities have attracted top global talent and future innovators. While the short-term impact may hit Harvard and its international students hardest, the long-term consequences—lost ideas, startups, and economic growth—will be felt across the entire country.

“Lessons” readers: Consider speaking out against Trump’s policies, Harvard’s stance, and the broader implications for U.S. entrepreneurship if you have the chance.

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