Harvard President Slashes Pay 25% as Trump Freezes $2.2B in Funding
Sarah Johnson
May 15, 2025
Brief
Harvard President Alan Garber takes a 25% pay cut as Trump administration freezes $2.2B in funding, sparking lawsuits and campus austerity measures.
Harvard University President Alan Garber is taking a 25% pay cut for the 2025-26 academic year, a move driven by a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze from the Trump administration. This isn’t Garber’s first rodeo—back in 2020, he slashed his salary by the same percentage during the pandemic’s financial crunch. Other Harvard leaders are also stepping up, making voluntary contributions to weather the storm.
The university’s facing tough times. A hiring pause kicked in last March, and discretionary spending is under a microscope. Faculty and staff won’t see merit pay raises for the fiscal year starting July 2025, and non-essential capital projects are on hold. Harvard’s even suing the Trump administration, calling the funding cuts unlawful.
The root of this clash? The White House accuses Harvard of failing to uphold civil rights laws and fostering an environment that stifles intellectual creativity. A letter from the Trump administration demanded reforms in governance, admissions, and hiring practices, particularly targeting international students deemed hostile to American values. Harvard, standing its ground, refused to comply, with Garber arguing no government should dictate a private university’s academic or admissions policies.
This financial tug-of-war reflects broader tensions, tied to last year’s anti-Israel campus unrest and Trump’s crackdown on universities. With another potential $1 billion cut looming, Harvard’s digging in for a fight, balancing its principles against a shrinking budget.
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Editor's Comments
Looks like Harvard’s learning the hard way: when the White House plays budget hardball, even Ivy League wallets feel the pinch. Garber’s pay cut is noble, but it’s like tossing a pebble into a $2.2 billion crater. And that lawsuit? It’s Harvard saying, ‘We’ll see you in court, but don’t expect us to rewrite our admissions playbook.’ Meanwhile, the real joke’s on the faculty—no merit raises, but I bet they’ll still grade papers with extra vigor. Why did Harvard refuse Trump’s demands? Because they’d rather keep their crimson pride than trade it for a government-issued leash.
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