Washington, May 29, 2025: US President Donald Trump has criticized Harvard University for admitting a high percentage of foreign students, describing the institution as a "disaster" and suggesting a 15% cap on international student admissions.
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump labeled some international students as "troublemakers," warning against allowing individuals who might engage in unrest to enter the United States through academic institutions. "We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I'll tell you what, many of those students didn't go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left," he said.
Trump requested Harvard to disclose its list of foreign students, noting that nearly 31% of their student body consists of international students. He questioned the origin of these students and whether their home countries contribute financially to the university, emphasizing that the US invests in Harvard. "I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%."
He further argued that foreign students occupy seats that could otherwise be granted to American applicants. "We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, but they can't because foreign students take many spots. I want to make sure foreign students love our country," he added.
Trump also accused Harvard of harboring anti-Semitic attitudes and mismanaging substantial funding, mentioning that the institution has received over $5 billion yet is facing scrutiny for alleged ideological biases. He called for redirecting funds toward trade schools focused on skills like artificial intelligence, suggesting they offer more practical education aligned with national interests.
The President’s comments come amid his administration’s broader immigration enforcement initiatives, including revoking visas and green cards for certain foreign students involved in protests deemed unpatriotic. The government has also frozen billions in grants to Harvard while demanding greater transparency and administrative reforms, particularly criticizing the university’s affiliations with prominent Democrats.
Trump’s stance reflects ongoing tension between his administration and leading educational institutions over perceived ideological differences and immigration policies.
