**Trump Administration Freezes Harvard Grants Over Antisemitism Dispute**
The Trump administration announced on Monday a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts for Harvard University. This decision came shortly after Harvard President Alan M. Garber declared that the university would not comply with the administration’s demands to address antisemitism on campus.
In a show of support for Harvard, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wore a Harvard basketball shirt during a news conference on Tuesday night. He humorously questioned, “Is something going on?” eliciting laughter from reporters. Kerr explained that the shirt was a gift from Harvard coach Tommy Amaker and emphasized his belief in academic freedom. “It’s crucial for all of our institutions to handle their own business without government interference,” he stated. “This is me supporting Harvard. Way to go, way to stand up to the bully.”
Kerr, whose father Malcolm was a Middle Eastern professor assassinated in 1984, has been a vocal critic of Trump and has endorsed Kamala Harris for the upcoming 2024 election. His comments followed the Warriors’ victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, securing their spot as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Garber noted that the federal government has threatened partnerships with several universities, including Harvard, over allegations of antisemitism on campuses. He highlighted that the Trump administration had issued an updated list of demands, stating that compliance would be necessary for maintaining financial ties with the federal government. “It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” Garber wrote, adding that the university would not accept the proposed agreement.
Earlier this month, a federal antisemitism task force announced a review of Harvard’s federal grants and contracts, which total nearly $9 billion, amid an investigation into antisemitism on campus.
**FAQ**
*What prompted the Trump administration to freeze Harvard’s funding?*
The freeze was initiated after Harvard’s president announced the university would not comply with the administration’s demands to combat antisemitism, leading to a conflict over federal funding.
