Americast podcast

Can Harvard afford to fight Trump?

4/16/2025
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President Trump has given Harvard University a long list of demands, but the university has refused to give in to them.

The president has frozen $2.2bn worth of funding as a result.

He wants Harvard to change the way it governs, hires and teaches because of concerns has over antisemitism on campus.

"No government - regardless of which party is in power - should dictate what private universities can teach," Harvard's president Alan Garber said.

It’s the biggest example of an issue playing out in universities across the US.

HOSTS:

- Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter - Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent - Sumi Somaskanda Chief Presenter in Washington

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This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer was Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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