Harvard President Gets Standing Ovation After Subtle Jab At Trump During Graduation Speech

Harvard University President Alan M. Garber received a standing ovation after he subtly jabbed the Trump administration over its attack on foreign students during his commencement speech on Thursday.

Garber spoke after the Trump administration announced last week that it would suspend Harvard's ability to enroll international students, striking at a key revenue stream. The move marked a significant escalation in the administration’s broader campaign to pressure elite universities to align themselves with President Donald Trump’s political agenda.

He said:

"To the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country and around the world. Around the world! Just as it should be!"

The crowd went wild. Afterward, Garber encouraged graduates to remain open to growth and intellectual challenge, urging them to “expand our thinking and change our minds in the process.” He said he hopes graduates "stay comfortable being uncomfortable." He also urged them to "carry the best of what Harvard is and does into the world that awaits you.”

You can hear what he said in the video below.

Many praised Garber's remarks—and criticized Trump themselves.

A federal judge in Boston ruled on Thursday that she would block Trump’s attempt to bar Harvard from enrolling international students, delivering a significant—if temporary—win for the university. Harvard has already lost billions in federal funding as part of a broader standoff with the White House.

Despite the setback, the administration is continuing to pursue avenues to limit the presence of foreign students in the U.S. Officials have characterized many visa holders as “agitators,” and Trump has asserted that their admissions slots should be prioritized for Americans.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department would begin “aggressively revoking” the visas of certain Chinese students, a move that will likely lead to significant reprisals from China.

There are approximately 275,000 Chinese students currently studying in the United States. In addition to contributing billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy through tuition and living expenses, many of these students are deeply involved in research projects across a wide range of disciplines.