Harvard-Trump Antisemitism Dispute Triggered by Mistaken Letter, Says NYT Report

A conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration over antisemitism demands was sparked by a mistakenly sent letter, NYT reports. Though later called “unauthorized,” the letter triggered intense backlash, funding threats, and public condemnation from President Trump. Harvard maintains it treated the letter seriously given its official origin.

A high-profile conflict between Harvard University and the Trump administration has been traced back to what may have been a bureaucratic misstep, according to a report by The New York Times. The controversy erupted after Harvard received a sharply worded letter on April 11 from the White House’s antisemitism task force, laying out demands that Harvard rejected as overreaching. But sources now suggest the letter may have been mistakenly sent.

Signed by three federal officials—Josh Gruenbaum, Thomas Wheeler, and Sean Keveney—the letter stunned Harvard leadership. However, within hours of its arrival, a Trump official contacted the university, saying the letter was “unauthorized.” Some within the administration claimed it was meant for internal review, not formal delivery. The confusion has since fueled a nationwide controversy.

Harvard, which had been in negotiations with the Trump administration regarding how the university addresses antisemitism, was working with two lawyers, William Burck and Robert Hur. The administration’s side included the very officials who signed the letter. Although discussions were ongoing, the abrupt nature and tone of the letter reportedly caught Harvard off-guard.

After rejecting the demands, Harvard received further calls from administration representatives, backpedaling on the letter’s timing but not its content. Columbia University, also in discussions with the administration, received a similar call, revealing a broader pattern.

Despite these clarifications, the Trump administration has not formally withdrawn the letter. White House strategist May Mailman criticized Harvard for not verifying the letter’s authenticity and accused the university of playing the victim. In response, Harvard argued that it treated the letter seriously due to its formal presentation.

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President Trump has since escalated tensions, freezing federal funds and threatening the university’s tax-exempt status, labeling Harvard a “disgrace” and questioning its global academic standing.