4.2 • 2.8K Ratings
🗓️ 16 April 2025
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
President Trump has given Harvard University a long list of demands, but the university has refused to give in to them.
The president has frozen $2.2bn worth of funding as a result.
He wants Harvard to change the way it governs, hires and teaches because of concerns has over antisemitism on campus.
"No government - regardless of which party is in power - should dictate what private universities can teach," Harvard's president Alan Garber said.
It’s the biggest example of an issue playing out in universities across the US.
HOSTS:
- Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter - Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent - Sumi Somaskanda Chief Presenter in Washington
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This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer was Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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0:00.0 | Hello, AmeriCasters. There are more of you now with us than ever before, and we'd like to try to keep it that way. |
0:06.6 | So, do subscribe and tell people if you're enjoying what you're hearing. Now, on with the episode. |
0:13.7 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
0:17.4 | The attention of the whole world has been on the US trade war with China and indeed with the rest of the world. |
0:22.1 | But back home in the United States, he is breaking things there as well and doing it on purpose, |
0:27.7 | taking the hammer to all manner of institutions, including the latest ones, universities, |
0:32.7 | particularly the top universities, Harvard hit with a $2.2 billion funding freeze after rejecting Donald Trump's |
0:41.0 | demands for change. Can he force US universities to change? And what does their future look like |
0:47.1 | if they don't? Welcome to AmeriCast. Back after some delay in my case on campus. |
1:00.0 | Music back after some delay in my case on campus. Ameriast. |
1:00.5 | Ameriast from BBC News. |
1:02.8 | You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. |
1:05.5 | You're gambling with World War III. |
1:07.8 | President Trump's message is very simple. |
1:09.8 | We are done being taken advantage of. |
1:11.6 | Mr. President, in the name of our God, have mercy upon the people. |
1:15.6 | We're scared now. |
1:16.6 | Are you supportive of these onesies? |
1:18.6 | I'm supportive of vaccines. |
1:20.6 | What is happening? |
1:21.6 | Like, this is not America. |
1:23.6 | This is a terrible nightmare. |
... |
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