The ongoing feud between Donald Trump and Harvard University has escalated, with the former US President taking a hardline stance against one of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. His administration has imposed several restrictions, including those affecting international student admissions. Amidst this backdrop, a new controversy has emerged surrounding Barron Trump. Whispers suggested that Barron had applied to an Ivy League school, specifically Harvard, but was denied admission. This speculation led many to believe that Trump’s renewed attacks on the university, particularly after his return to power, were a form of “revenge.” However, First Lady Melania Trump has vehemently debunked these rumors, stating unequivocally that Barron never applied to Harvard and that unnecessary speculation is being spread about her son and husband.

The Ivy League is a consortium of eight elite American universities, including Harvard. In late 2024, Trump had announced that his youngest son, Barron, would be attending the Stern School of Business at New York University. This announcement ignited a flurry of online speculation, with multiple reports claiming that Barron had been rejected by institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford. This starkly contrasts with Trump’s other children – Ivanka, Donald Trump Jr., Eric, and even Tiffany Trump – who all attended these highly selective universities, breaking a perceived tradition for Barron. While many reports link the current “conflict” between Trump and Harvard to Barron’s alleged rejection, Melania Trump has consistently dismissed these claims, asserting, “Barron never applied to Harvard. This is completely false.” It’s worth noting that American universities have recently been embroiled in protests against Israel over the Gaza war, with pro-Palestinian students demonstrating against the US administration’s support for Israel. Upon his return to power, Trump issued a ten-point directive to various universities regarding these protests, which Harvard University rejected, citing a refusal to accept such governmental interference in academic institutions. Following this defiance, the Trump administration reportedly halted a $200 million grant to Harvard and revoked its tax-exempt status, further intensifying the standoff.