By Jorge Salcedo @ Shutterstock.com
For decades, opponents of the political activities of America’s elite universities have called for their tax-exempt status to be removed. Now, President Trump might do just that. Trump publicly called for Harvard to pay taxes, and the New York Times is reporting that the Treasury has asked the IRS to consider ending the university’s tax-exempt status. Andrew Duehren and Maggie Haberman report:
Some I.R.S. officials have told colleagues that the Treasury Department on Wednesday asked the agency to consider revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, according to two of the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal conversations.
An I.R.S. spokeswoman declined to comment. The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment. CNN first reported that the I.R.S. was looking at potentially rescinding Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a close ally of President Trump’s, discussed Harvard’s failure to protect civil rights on campus with CNBC:
.@RepStefanik: “Schools are not entitled to U.S. taxpayer dollars if they’re not living up to the standards and not protecting civil rights of Jewish students on campuses… Harvard has been the epitome of this failure.” pic.twitter.com/JfqqcY6MLH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 16, 2025
Harvard’s tax status comes into question as tensions heighten between the university and the administration over Harvard’s failure to follow Title VI. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained to the White House Press Corps:
.@PressSec: “The President made it clear to Harvard: Follow federal law, no longer break Title VI… The President is also begging a good question: More than $2 billion out the door to Harvard when they have a more than $50 billion endowment. Why are American taxpayers… pic.twitter.com/CfssyB8owu
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 15, 2025
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