Fri Apr 18 11:27:23 UTC 2025: ## Trump Cuts Federal Funding to Top US Universities After Protests

**New Delhi, April 18, 2025** – US President Donald Trump has significantly escalated his conflict with leading American universities, cutting off billions of dollars in federal funding. The move follows widespread student protests last year condemning US support for Israel during the conflict with Hamas.

Harvard University, which rejected Trump’s demands for policy changes, is the latest institution to be targeted, losing over $2 billion in federal support. Other universities, including Cornell, Northwestern, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania, have also faced funding cuts. While federal funding represents a varying percentage of each university’s overall budget (between 6% and 23%), its impact is disproportionately felt in departments like health research, where it can account for a significant portion of revenue (59% in Harvard’s case).

Columbia University, in contrast, agreed to implement the administration’s requested changes after a $400 million threat to its funding. Trump’s demands reportedly include a stronger response to antisemitism on campuses, a direct response to the widespread student protests expressing solidarity with Palestine. These protests, which occurred at over 60 colleges across the nation, included instances of arrests and the use of force at some universities, including Columbia. The President’s actions are raising concerns about academic freedom and the role of federal funding in higher education.

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