President Trump voiced renewed criticism of Harvard University on Sunday, suggesting that the school is giving too many admissions spots to foreign students at the expense of qualified Americans. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac in Morristown, New Jersey, as he prepared to return to Washington, D.C., Trump called for Harvard to hand over the names of its international students, framing the issue as one of fairness for American applicants.
“I don’t have a problem with foreign students. But it shouldn’t be 31 percent. It’s too much, because we have Americans who want to go there, and to other places, and they can’t go there because there’s 31 percent foreigners,” Trump said. Official data, however, shows that foreign students actually make up 27 percent of Harvard’s student body not 31 percent.
Trump’s comments come amid escalating tensions between his administration and elite academic institutions, particularly Harvard. The administration has been pushing for the university to cooperate with federal authorities in turning over records related to international students. At the same time, Trump has floated threats to cut off federal grants to Harvard over disputes surrounding his efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as over the university’s handling of campus demonstrations supporting Palestinians.
Foreign students typically pay full tuition at Harvard and other prestigious universities, helping to offset costs and effectively subsidize education for many American students. But Trump has repeatedly questioned whether their presence is crowding out U.S. applicants, despite economic studies suggesting the opposite.
The administration’s rhetoric has taken a harsher tone in recent months. The Department of Homeland Security has begun targeting foreign students connected to campus protests or who have publicly expressed support for the people of Gaza. In several instances, foreign students have reportedly been detained or removed from the country, sometimes with federal agents caught on video taking them off the streets. These actions have added to the climate of fear and uncertainty on campuses nationwide, particularly among international students.
Trump’s latest remarks continue to reflect his broader strategy of linking immigration, education, and national security. By spotlighting Harvard and its foreign student population, he is fueling a narrative that paints elite institutions as disloyal to American interests and overly influenced by outside forces. The issue is becoming a flashpoint in the administration’s ongoing culture war against what it sees as liberal strongholds within higher education. As the pressure increases, universities are being forced to navigate not only legal and political battles but also growing unrest among their own students and faculty.