logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
20m 6s

Trump vs the Universities

Reuters
About this episode
The Trump administration says at least 60 schools have violated Title VI for allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. Critics see this effort as a way for the White House to clamp down on freedom of speech, and to punish left-leaning institutions. On this weekend episode, our reporters Helen Coster and Julia Harte unpack the fight over higher education i ... Show More
Up next
Today
Stephen Miller, Paraguay's new president and Apple's hidden word list
President Trump taps Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, a move that could point to a tougher agender after Republicans lose control of Congress. Vice President JD Vance is also looking to build his own political brand as attention begins to turn towards 2028. Paraguay ... Show More
13m 54s
Yesterday
Susie Wiles replaced, tech stocks rebound, Cybertruck wind down (Updated)
Stephen Miller will replace Susie Wiles as President Trump's chief of staff, effective Monday. Wall Street attempts to recover after a major selloff on Thursday. Hoax bomb threats force flight diversions and emergency landings across Europe. A federal Judge blocks Trump's arch pr ... Show More
13m 19s
Nov 5
Nasdaq correction, midterm pressure, Russell Brand verdict (Updated)
The Nasdaq enters correction territory on fears newly-elected Democrats could get tougher on AI regulation. President Donald Trump faces pressure from Republicans to change course on foreign policy after a midterm election rout as the clock ticks for the US Supreme Court's oldest ... Show More
13m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2025
Casualties of Trump’s War on Higher Ed
President Trump has a long list of grievances against many U.S. colleges and universities. He’s complained about antisemitism on campuses, of gender- and race-based course offerings, even communist indoctrination. To force change, the government has increasingly used the power of ... Show More
28m 38s
Mar 2025
Trump’s Escalating War With Higher Education
<p>In recent weeks, the Trump administration has put the American university system on notice.</p><p>It has pressed for changes, opened investigations — and in some cases withheld critical funds.</p><p>Alan Blinder, who covers education in America, explains how schools are respon ... Show More
27m 50s
Apr 2025
The Conservative Activist Pushing Trump to Attack U.S. Colleges
<p>This week, we interviewed two people with leading roles in the rapidly escalating conflict between the Trump administration and American higher education.</p><p>Today, we speak with Christopher Rufo, who led the conservative critique of, and assault on, critical race theory an ... Show More
43m 49s
Apr 2025
Why Trump’s university crackdown is driving professors off US campuses
With academics leaving the US, funding cuts looming over universities for alleged failures to combat antisemitism, and foreign students facing deportation for pro-Palestinian activism, the Trump administration’s policies are being felt at colleges across the United States. What’s ... Show More
25m 11s
Aug 2025
What It’s Like To Have Trump Hold Your Science Research Hostage
The Trump administration’s crackdown on universities across the country for alleged antisemitism has made its way from the East Coast to the West Coast. Earlier this month, the administration demanded the University of California Los Angeles pay $1-billion to the federal governme ... Show More
21m 48s
Dec 2023
Antisemitism and Free Speech Collide on Campuses
<p><i>Warning: this episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>Universities across the country strained under pressure to take a public position on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.</p><p>Nicholas Confessore, a political and investigative reporter for The Times, explains the ... Show More
30m 48s
May 2025
Swamp Notes: Trump takes on higher ed
Description: US President Donald Trump is in an ongoing standoff with America’s top universities. Harvard lost $2.3bn in federal funding after it refused to comply with the administration’s demands on admissions and diversity, equity and inclusion. Columbia complied with a simila ... Show More
20m 35s
Dec 2023
Anti-Semitism and academic freedom: what’s happening on US college campuses?
The viral clip of Harvard President Dr. Claudine Gay - unable to condemn those on campus calling for genocide - has kicked off a wider debate about academic freedom and double standards. The president of University of Pennsylvania - who offered similar responses - has now resigne ... Show More
32m 16s