Chris Matthews Backs Trump's Harvard Funding Freeze Over Antisemitism
Former MSNBC host Chris Matthews has endorsed the Trump administration’s decision to freeze funding to Harvard University over its handling of antisemitism.
In a surprising turn of events, former MSNBC host Chris Matthews has voiced support for the Trump administration’s move to target Harvard University over its response to antisemitism. On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Matthews suggested that the administration’s decision to freeze $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts was a politically ‘smart move.’ This action followed Harvard’s refusal to comply with federal demands to address antisemitism on campus, which escalated after anti-Israel protests following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel.
Matthews emphasized the importance of students’ rights to education, regardless of their background, highlighting the high tuition costs at elite universities like Harvard. He argued that the universities’ failure to ensure students could attend classes freely was a significant issue. Despite the controversial nature of the Trump administration’s tactics, Matthews believes that targeting elite institutions could be politically beneficial for Trump, noting that these universities have sufficient resources to manage the financial impact.
However, not everyone agrees with Matthews’ perspective. Vanity Fair’s Molly Jong-Fast criticized the move as ’thought policing,’ suggesting it was a guise to target universities and free speech rather than a genuine effort to combat antisemitism. She described the action as government overreach and part of an authoritarian playbook, arguing that alternative measures could be more effective in addressing antisemitism.
The debate reflects broader tensions surrounding free speech, antisemitism, and political strategy in higher education. As the situation develops, the impact of the funding freeze on Harvard and other elite institutions remains to be seen, as does the political fallout for the Trump administration.