Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber says his school and others face a “crisis” as the Trump administration moves to cut federal funding over unchecked antisemitism on college campuses. He insists Princeton won’t give in to what he sees as political interference in academic operations.
Key Facts:
- Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber criticized federal funding threats tied to antisemitism enforcement.
- Trump’s administration cut $4 million in federal climate research funding to Princeton.
- Columbia University changed protest and disciplinary policies to retain $400 million in federal funds.
- Eisgruber acknowledged antisemitism on both Columbia’s and Princeton’s campuses.
- He warned that federal involvement threatens academic independence and due process.
The Rest of the Story: Princeton President Will Not Give In to Trump
During a wide-ranging interview on The Daily podcast, Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber took aim at the Trump administration’s aggressive stance toward universities accused of enabling antisemitic protests and anti-Israel sentiment.
Eisgruber acknowledged there were “serious problems” with antisemitism at Columbia and Princeton, but said it’s wrong for the federal government to pressure universities into specific reforms by threatening their funding.
He cited the recent defunding of $4 million in climate-related grants to Princeton as an example of government overreach, while Columbia scrambled to make internal changes to keep $400 million in federal support.
Eisgruber argued that academic freedom is under attack, and that universities deserve due process before being penalized.
While other schools, including Brown and Rutgers, have entered into federal consent decrees under previous administrations, Eisgruber firmly stated that Princeton would resist any attempt to place departments under external control or enforce reforms through executive power.
“We would contest that in court,” he said.
Commentary: Antisemitism at Princeton and the Battle Over “Academic Freedom”
President Eisgruber talks a lot about “academic freedom,” but what he’s defending looks less like liberty and more like institutional protectionism.
When elite universities allow anti-Israel protests to spiral into antisemitic displays, they lose moral ground.
The same institutions that cancel conservative speakers or allow disruptive protests against Jewish guests—like former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at Princeton—have no business claiming neutrality.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was protested by pro-Palestinian activists during his speech at Princeton University in the US⤵️ pic.twitter.com/gzHOFpQwyp
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 8, 2025
The reality is that these universities have allowed a radical ideology to take root, cloaked in the language of student expression and academic freedom.
For years, conservative voices have been shut out while radical activists are given a free pass.
Now that the tables are turning, these same universities cry foul when held accountable.
Trump’s move to tie federal funding to antisemitism enforcement may be aggressive, but it’s a direct response to years of negligence.
The October 7 Hamas attacks and the support many student groups have shown for a terrorist regime are not just political protests—they’re moral failures.
Universities that failed to act have no one to blame but themselves.
American taxpayers should not be forced to fund institutions that won’t protect Jewish students or uphold basic standards of decency.
If “academic freedom” means turning a blind eye to hatred and silencing dissenting viewpoints, then it’s time to redefine what these schools really stand for.
Universities were once the cornerstone of free inquiry and civil debate.
But that reputation has eroded.
If they want public support and taxpayer dollars, they must first clean up their campuses and stand unequivocally against antisemitism—no excuses, no double standards.
The Bottom Line: Princeton President Fights Back Against Antisemitism Oversight
President Eisgruber may claim he’s protecting academic freedom, but in practice, he’s shielding elite academia from real consequences.
The Trump administration’s stance is clear: taxpayer funds should not subsidize institutions that tolerate hate.
Until schools like Princeton uphold true free speech and protect all students, including Jews, accountability is not only justified—it’s necessary.
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