Donald Trump unleashed a furious response on Truth Social regarding claims that his ongoing criticism of Harvard stems from a personal rejection from the prestigious Ivy League university. This narrative gained traction following comments by author Michael Wolff, who, in a recent episode of The Daily Beast Podcast, asserted that Trump "didn’t get into Harvard" and is now targeting the institution out of revenge. Wolff argued, "He needs an enemy. That’s what makes the show great. The Trump show. He picks fantastic enemies, actually. And Harvard, for all it represents, fits right into the Trump show," he added. "Going after Harvard has proved to be an incredibly reliable headline," Wolff continued. "So he’s on the money. So he’s done what he set out to do. Dominate headlines."

Trump vehemently denied Wolff’s claims, labeling them "totally FALSE" and insisting he never applied to Harvard. He countered that he graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Trump further criticized Wolff, describing him as a "Third Rate Reporter" whose book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," was a "total ‘BOMB.’ Nobody wanted it, because his ‘reporting’ and reputation is so bad!" He also stated that Wolff repeatedly attempted to secure an interview, but Trump refused to grant him an audience, deeming his reporting "junk."

This dispute has been ongoing between Trump and Wolff, whose previous works include "Siege: Trump Under Fire" and "All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America." Trump has consistently criticized Wolff’s reporting and has repeatedly dismissed his claims. In February, Trump called "All or Nothing" a "total FAKE JOB, just like the other JUNK he wrote." He also highlighted his refusal to engage with Wolff, stating, "He called me many times trying to set up a meeting, but I never called him back because I didn’t want to give him the credibility of an interview."

Speculation surrounding the origins of Trump’s feud with Harvard has persisted, with a White House spokesperson dismissing the notion that the president was rejected from the school. The spokesperson stated, "the president ‘didn’t need to apply to an overrated, corrupt institution like Harvard to become a successful businessman and the most transformative President in history.’" This statement highlights a broader critique of Harvard’s perceived elitism and influence.

Adding another layer to the controversy, a recurring joke within the White House reportedly suggested that Trump’s war on Harvard stemmed from the rejection of another Trump – his youngest son, Barron. This narrative reportedly reached First Lady Melania Trump, who issued a statement last Tuesday, unequivocally denying that Barron applied to Harvard. Barron recently completed his freshman year at New York University’s Stern School of Business, further complicating the situation.

Trump’s aggressive actions against Harvard – including freezing federal funding, threatening its tax-exempt status, and blocking international student enrollment – are rooted in accusations of liberal bias and antisémitism. These claims are used to justify his offensive stance, framing Harvard as a symbol of perceived societal ills. The ongoing debate surrounding Trump’s motivations and Harvard’s response continues to be a significant political and academic topic, fueled by the need for attention and the strategic use of narratives.