**Trump’s Clash with Harvard Resonates with University Ousted by the Right**
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the academic world, President Donald Trump recently announced that his administration would revoke federal funding for Harvard University. The decision comes after Trump accused the prestigious Ivy League institution of not using its $40 billion endowment to help struggling Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The clash between Trump and Harvard has drawn comparisons to a similar situation that unfolded in Hungary, where the Central European University (CEU) was forced to flee the country after being targeted by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
**Parallels with the Central European University**
The CEU, founded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, was a leading institution of higher education in Hungary until it became the target of a relentless campaign by the Orban government. In 2017, Hungary passed a law that effectively forced the CEU to leave the country by imposing stringent regulations on foreign universities. The move was widely seen as an attack on academic freedom and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
Similarly, Trump’s decision to cut off funding to Harvard has been viewed by many as an attack on academic freedom and an attempt to punish the university for its perceived liberal bias. Critics of the president argue that Trump is using the power of the federal government to silence dissent and intimidate institutions that do not align with his political agenda.
**Academics Speak Out**
Academics at Harvard have been quick to denounce Trump’s actions, with many warning of the dangerous precedent it sets for academic freedom in the United States. In a statement, Harvard President Lawrence Bacow called the decision “politically motivated” and accused the Trump administration of trying to “bully” the university into submission.
Professor Elizabeth Warren, a former Democratic presidential candidate and current Harvard faculty member, echoed Bacow’s sentiments, saying that Trump’s attack on Harvard is part of a broader pattern of authoritarian behavior. “This is not just an attack on Harvard, it’s an attack on the very idea of academic freedom and independent thought,” Warren said.
**The Future of Academic Freedom**
The clash between Trump and Harvard has sparked a larger debate about the future of academic freedom in the United States. Many academics fear that Trump’s actions could embolden other authoritarian leaders around the world to target universities and institutions that they see as threats to their power.
As the CEU learned the hard way, attacks on academic freedom can have far-reaching consequences. After being forced to leave Hungary, the CEU relocated to Vienna, where it continues to operate but faces ongoing challenges in rebuilding its academic community and reputation.
The question now facing Harvard and other institutions in the United States is how to respond to Trump’s attacks on academic freedom. Will they stand up to the president and defend their independence, or will they capitulate to his demands in order to secure federal funding? The answer to that question could have profound implications for the future of higher education in America.