Harvard works “awakened, radical left -wing idiots and birds of cerebellum” – he wrote on his profiles on social media. The official reason for the campaign, however, is the fight against anti -Semitism at this and other elite universities, after anti -izrael and propalentine demonstrations that took place there. Is Trump right, or does he undermine academic freedom and dangerously adapts the education system to his views?
James Kirchick is a reporter Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, of which Onet.pl is part. He is a Jew himself and studied at the elite University of Yale. Journalist Bild-a Thomas Kausch conducted a video interview with him about the campaign of Donald Trump aimed at American universities. This is the record of this conversation in which the recent critic of the US president indicates this time what he agrees with him.
Jamie Kirchick: I started studying at Yale 20 years ago. I was a student there in 2002–2006. I have almost not experienced any anti -Semitism. This is a problem that has been significantly deepened in the last 20 years since I was a student.
This kind of leftist ideology that divides the world into two groups: oppressors and oppressed. Basically, everything boils down to the dichotomy of good and evil. Israel is placed in the same category, where Israelis are bad people, and Palestinians and Muslims are the virtuous ones. I think that these ideas have been established for about 50 or 60 years. I think it began when Rudi Dutschke, a German leftist activist, took over the march through academic institutions. Now we see the consequences of 50 years of exceptional impact of leftist policy on American higher education.
Context: Rudi Dutschke was one of the leaders of the Socialist Student Movement in Germany in the 1960s, whose enemy was, among others, America during the Vietnam war. However, one of the main goals of the movement was also supporting Palestinians in their fight against Israel.
AA / Abaca / PAP
One of the buildings of the University of Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, April 22, 2025.
Is left or right -wing anti -Semitism more dangerous?
In the current situation in the United States I would probably say that it is probably left. It can't be seen much on television or the media. These are neo -Nazi groups, Skinheads and the like. The extreme anti -Semitic right in the United States is really marginalized. However, the leftist version is much more widespread, because it exerts influence on all large institutions: higher education, non -governmental organizations, and media.
So Trump is right?
I think he is right, indicating a serious problem of anti -Semitism in American higher education. I can't agree with everything his administration does. But I think it is really the first time the national political leader, the president, really identified this problem.
Context: On the other hand, Trump met with rapper Kanye West, who expressed sympathy for the Nazis and admiration for Hitler, and pardoned anti -Semitic right -wing extremists. In a recent survey conducted among Jewish voters in America, more than half of the respondents decided that Trump himself was an anti -Semite.
Well, the vast majority of Jews in the United States are liberal, vote for Democrats, so they are not surprising that they say so about the president. I don't know what's in my heart. His daughter [Ivanka Trump] She is an orthodox Jew. She switched to Judaism to marry Jared Kushner. I don't think he is an anti -Semite.
Everyone who says something good about him, listens, wants to meet him. It doesn't matter how much a person is guilty of. To be honest, he is not a deep thinker when it comes to these issues. But I don't think he hates Jews deep in my heart. I don't think this is proof of this.
Continuation of the material under the video
One of the reasons for his campaign [wymierzonej w uczelnie] There is an allegation that universities are too leftist. So what do he really mean?
If you look at the political affiliation of professors in the United States, over 90 percent. He votes for Democrats. There are very few conservatives in older schools, in Ivy League [tzw. lidze bluszczowej, do której należą najbardziej prestiżowe uczelnie w USA] There are quite a lot of them. Universities are very leftist. So you have to do something to fix the American higher education system. I think that the administration is right about the goal, but many of the tactics she uses are inappropriate.
Context: Harvard has assets worth around $ 50 billion. [186 mld zł]accumulated thanks to donations and clever investments. This is probably why this is the only university that can afford to fight the Trump administration in court. Other universities, such as Columbia University, which threatens to withdraw public financing, have already surrendered. However, Harvard also strongly feels the effects of blockade or withdrawing by Trump's funds for scientific research in the amount of around $ 4 billion. [niemal 15 mld zł].
I am worried that most federal funds intended for universities and universities go to exact sciences and computer science, and medical research is financed by medical schools. I do not consider it right to punish those parts of universities that are not involved in left -wing indoctrination and anti -Semitism that we talked about. It is not fair that scientists and medical students are to pay the price for the madness of people from the humanities.
The achievements of Harvard Medical School are groundbreaking and have global significance. Is the exaggeration to say that Trump's cutting of funds can cost the lives of people around the world?
I think that yes, financing medical research, important medical examinations in the United States will certainly lead to a deterioration of the health of society.
Context: about a quarter of Harvard students come from abroad. Trump also blocks this possibility. Students bring $ 400 million to the University. [1 mld 491 mln zł] Annually from tuition fees. This is a financial loss, but also intellectual.
American universities are the best in the world and are a great Soft Power tool [ang. miękkiej siły] for the United States. Thanks to them, very talented, happy young people can study in the USA, explore this country and establish professional and personal relationships with Americans. Even after returning to their countries, they in most cases take with them true love for America and a real understanding of this country. So I think it is really unfortunate that we have gone so far in limiting the number of students. However, if you look at some of the best universities, the percentage of foreign students is extremely high. This does not mean that there should be no foreigners. However, I think that this balance should be slightly corrected.
Comment in the background: Love for America – this is probably asking for too much during Trump's rule. Understanding America – it is worth thinking about.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
