Trump escalates attack on Harvard as top universities rally in support

Donald Trump has called Harvard University a "joke" that "teaches hate and stupidity" and declared that it should no longer receive federal funds, in an escalation of his attacks on the pre-eminent university in the US.

- Anna Betts

On Monday Harvard made headlines by becoming the first university to stand up against a series of onerous demands from the Trump administration, setting the stage for a showdown between the federal government and one of America's most prestigious institutions.

The Trump administration swiftly retaliated by announcing it would freeze over $2bn (£1.5bn) in multiyear grants and contracts with Harvard.

Numerous Democratic politicians and top universities across the country have rallied in support of Harvard, but the Trump administration has doubled down, threatening to strip the institution of its tax-exempt status and insisting that it apologise.

Yesterday morning Trump took to social media again to attack Harvard on his platform, Truth Social. "Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds," Trump wrote in the lengthy post. "Thank you for your attention to this matter!"