There’s no surprise that Donald Trump hasn’t always shown support for elite U.S. universities — and Barack Obama has often made his differences with Trump clear. But now, Obama’s latest remarks are drawing attention again.
Although they were seen laughing together during Jimmy Carter’s memorial service, Obama and Trump still hold very different views on many major topics. During a recent speech at Hamilton College in New York, Obama directly referred to Trump, who is now serving as president again.
“I have deep differences of opinion with my most immediate successor,” Obama said, without naming Trump directly.
Obama explained that there are many policies where he strongly disagrees, and he expressed concern that important values in government have weakened over time. One issue that stands out for him is how the Trump administration is handling Harvard University — where Obama once earned his law degree.
The Department of Education recently announced it would freeze $2.3 billion in federal funding for Harvard. This came after the university chose not to meet a list of demands sent by the Trump administration. Those demands included removing diversity and inclusion programs, stopping mask-wearing during protests, and changing how faculty and students are selected — saying some university staff were more focused on activism than academics.
The White House says the requests are part of a broader plan to deal with campus issues, including antisemitism. But Harvard’s leadership is standing firm. President Alan M. Garber stated, “The University will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights.”
Obama posted on X, praising Harvard’s response. He called it an example of protecting academic freedom and promoting open discussion and mutual respect. He ended by saying, “Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”
This disagreement is now part of a larger conversation about what role politics should play in shaping what happens in schools and universities.