Harvard University President Gets Standing Ovation After Taking Dig at Trump During Graduation Speech

 Written by Meredith Kile, May 29, 2025. https://people.com/harvard-university-president-standing-ovation-trump-dig-11744860

Thursday, May 29th, Harvard hosted its graduation ceremony for the class of 2025, in the midst of its ongoing feud with president Donald Trump and his administration. The ceremony featured remarks from prominent students, illustrious keynote speakers and faculty heads, each of them addressed the tensions between the university and the current political administration. The most notable was the Harvard President Alan Garner, when he to a swing at the Trump administrations attempts to kick out all of the universities foreign students. "To the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country and around the world," he began, pausing for applause before repeating himself for emphasis. "Around the world, just as it should be." This solidarity earned Garner a standing ovation. In April, the Trump administration sent Harvard and several other leading U.S. universities a list of demands focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, the enrolment of international students, pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and other related issues. Since Harvards bold refusal to comply with Trumps demands, Harvard has become this lighting rod for the administrations ire. 

This is a prominent issue within America right now. Having Trump block immigration and then now international students in universities, is concerning for the future of Trumps rein. Trump has so much power in where he stands. You may think that you are safe since you are from Canada, or any other country that isn't America, but whatever trump does within America a severely affect events/policies in other countries. Harvard, and other prominent universities in America, are known for their international students, it's a very big part of univsitery culture and its been the normal for years. To all of a sudden change that, and kick international students out of their well deserved education is horrendous, and people should be taking this more seriously. Often these international students come to America to pursue a better education, as sometimes their country does not offer as prestigious of a university. In conclusion, it is unfair to put these limitations on university's enrolment, and this will effect many people moving forward.