Trump Warns US Colleges May Face Accreditation Loss Over ‘Antisemitic Propaganda’ if Elected, Reports Reuters

By Alexandra Ulmer

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addressed a gathering of Jewish donors on Thursday, asserting that if elected, U.S. universities would face a loss of accreditation and federal funding due to what he termed "antisemitic propaganda."

"Colleges will and must end the antisemitic propaganda or they will lose their accreditation and federal support," Trump stated during a remote address to over 1,000 attendees from the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas.

This speech followed a series of protests at college campuses earlier in the year, where students opposed Israel’s military actions in Gaza and called for universities to sever ties with companies that support Israel. While Republicans argue these protests indicate that some Democrats harbor antisemitic sentiments, protest organizers contend that their critiques of Israel’s policies are being unfairly categorized as antisemitic.

The Association of American Universities, which represents around 69 prominent U.S. universities, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

In the U.S., while the federal government does not directly accredit universities, it plays a significant role in overseeing the private organizations that do provide accreditation.

During his remarks, Trump also proposed a ban on refugee resettlement from "terror-infested" regions like Gaza and suggested arresting "pro-Hamas thugs" involved in vandalism, likely referring to the student protesters.

Data from the U.S. State Department indicates that the number of Palestinian refugees admitted to the U.S. has been relatively consistent under both the Trump and Biden administrations, with the U.S. accepting 114 Palestinian refugees from fiscal years 2017 to 2020 and 124 from fiscal year 2021 to July 31 of this year.

Although Trump outlined few specific policy strategies for the Middle East during a potential second term, he painted a dire picture of a future under a Harris presidency for Israel. "You’re going to be abandoned if she becomes president. And I think you need to explain that to your people… You’re not going to have an Israel if she becomes president," Trump claimed, without providing substantive evidence for his assertion.

In response, Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasized her commitment to Israel and her opposition to antisemitism, pointing out past controversies involving Trump, including dining with a white supremacist.

Harris has largely aligned with President Joe Biden regarding strong support for Israel, resisting calls from some Democrats to reconsider military aid in light of the significant Palestinian casualties in Gaza. However, she has advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza, describing the conditions there as "devastating."

Gaza health authorities have reported over 40,000 Palestinian deaths due to the Israeli military operations following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which also resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and around 250 individuals taken as hostages, according to Israeli sources. The ongoing conflict has driven nearly the entire population of Gaza, which numbers about 2.3 million, from their homes, leading to a severe hunger crisis and accusations of genocide that Israel disputes.

TRUMP’s AGENDA

The Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund is reportedly allocating around $15 million to support Trump’s campaign and mobilize Jewish voters in key states. Financial backing for this network comes from figures like the late casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and his widow Miriam Adelson. Members of the coalition convened this week for their annual conference at a resort developed by Adelson’s company. Miriam Adelson also leads a super PAC aiming to raise over $100 million to support Trump’s candidacy.

During the conference, numerous attendees articulated three primary objectives for a possible second Trump term: expanding the Abraham Accords, adopting a more stringent approach toward Iran, and either reforming or defunding the United Nations.

The Trump administration played a significant role in brokering the Abraham Accords, which established normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. However, plans for normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel stalled last year amid escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.

RJC chairman Norm Coleman, who also advocates for Saudi interests in Washington, expressed optimism regarding the potential to expand the Abraham Accords in the future, suggesting that if not achieved under the current administration, Trump may again facilitate regional cooperation.