by NIJ MARTIN
The President denies Harvard vendetta claims: ‘I never applied’
President Donald Trump forcefully denied claims that his administration’s legal battles with Harvard stem from personal rejection, calling the allegation “totally FALSE” in a fiery Truth Social post Monday. The rebuttal comes as the White House escalates its crackdown on elite universities, with Harvard at the center of the storm.
The Allegation – and the Denial
Biographer Michael Wolff claimed on The Daily Beast’s podcast last week that Trump’s targeting of Harvard traces back to the president’s own Ivy League rejection. “By the way, he didn’t get into Harvard,” Wolff said, framing Trump’s policies as a grudge.
Trump shot back: “I graduated from the Wharton School… [Wolff’s] book about me was a total ‘BOMB.’” First Lady Melania Trump also debunked rumors that son Barron was denied Harvard admission, calling such claims “completely false.”
Why Harvard?
The Trump administration has:
✔ Terminated $3M in grants over Harvard’s DEI programs and pro-Palestine protests
✔ Moved to revoke Harvard’s international student visa certification (temporarily blocked by a court)
✔ Accused elite schools of antisemitism and “indoctrination”
White House spokesperson Taylor Rodgers dismissed Wolff’s theory, branding Harvard “an overrated, corrupt institution” unworthy of Trump’s application. Meanwhile, Harvard President Alan Garber vowed to fight the SEVP revocation, calling international students “vital to our mission.”
What’s Next?
With a court hearing set for May 29, the battle over Harvard’s visa program could intensify—regardless of Trump’s academic history. As GOP Senator John Kennedy quipped: “Harvard is an overpriced indoctrination mill.”
The Big Question: Is this policy—or payback? The White House insists it’s the former, but Wolff’s narrative has added fuel to a fiery debate.