Conspiracy theories about her son Barron and Harvard sparked Melania Trump's angry reaction, after the cancellation of funds to the University announced by her husband and US President, Donald Trump. At the same time, the White House Press Secretary clarifies that "The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values". "We need more of those in our country and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University" Caroline Levitt said.
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In a highly unusual move, Melania Trump made a public statement to refute claims circulating online that her husband decided to declare war on Harvard because the university had rejected their son, Barron, last spring.
Social media rumors began circulating last week, after Trump froze about $2.65 billion. In federal grants and tried to prevent international students from enrolling in the university, a move that was met with a judicial blockade by a federal judge
It was preceded by an online "party" mainly on X where Trump's measures against Harvard were met by users with insinuations "that the president is jealous that former President Barack Obama's daughter, Malia, is a Harvard graduate.
The denial was made in a statement by Melania's spokesman, Nick Clemens, who told The Palm Beach Post: "Barron did not apply to Harvard and any claim that he or anyone on his behalf applied is completely false."
In September, Trump announced that Barron, "who has been accepted by many colleges," would eventually attend New York University's Stern School of Business Administration.
On Tuesday, it became known that the U.S. federal government is preparing to order its agencies to proceed with the cancellation of contracts totaling about $100 million with Harvard University.
This new action came in addition to the recent cuts totaling 2.65 billion euros. In funding for the university, according to the New York Times, which revealed the White House's plans.
The Trump administration accuses the university of resisting demands for an ideological diversity check on faculties, as well as handing over complete files of foreign student behavior.
Suspension of student visas
At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the suspension of visa processing for foreign students until the social media accounts of all those who have applied are thoroughly examined.
In an internal memo obtained by AFP, the State Department now asks U.S. embassies and consulates not to make "appointments for new student visas or exchange programs" for students and to wait for "the issuance of guidelines for the in-depth review of all applicants' social media accounts."
According to this document, the suspension may be short, while it is noted that embassies will receive new orders "in the coming days".
"The goal, as President and Secretary of State Rubio have stated, is to make sure that the people who are here understand the law, that they don't have criminal purposes,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce explained.
Hundreds of foreign students in the U.S. have seen their visas canceled in recent weeks, while others who participated in pro-Palestinian protests face deportation.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, the Republican assured that "I will win" this confrontation with the university.
"I don't know exactly what (the government's) motives are, but I do know that some people are engaged in a culture war," Harvard Rector Alan Garber said in an interview broadcast on NPR on Tuesday.
He called on all American universities to "vigorously resist" the government's attack.
Trump has already suspended some federal subsidies that Harvard receives totaling more than $2 billion. The University is now facing cuts of 100 million dollars. In funds, which President Trump is interested in giving to other educational institutions.
“The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values but, most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society,” Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.
“Apprenticeships, electricians, plumbers — we need more of those in our country and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University and that’s what this administration’s position is,” the White House Press Secretary continued.
