The Battle Between Trump and Universities: A Threat to Scientific Research Funding
In an increasingly polarized political climate, the relationship between the Trump administration and American universities has become a contentious battleground impacting federal funding for scientific research. This crucial funding has long been the cornerstone of breakthrough discoveries, supporting everything from medical advancements to technological innovations. However, recent pressures from the White House demand that universities align their research agendas with the president’s political priorities, leading to concerns about academic freedom and the integrity of scientific inquiry.
In our upcoming episode of “60 Minutes,” we delve deep into this conflict, exploring how the shifting landscape of federal funding could jeopardize essential research initiatives. Interviews with key stakeholders reveal not only the potential repercussions for universities but also the broader implications for scientific progress in the United States.
Join us as we unravel this critical issue that affects not only the academic community but also the future of innovation in our society.
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Video “Battle between Trump and universities hurting scientific research in need of federal funding” was uploaded on 11/10/2025 to Youtube Channel 60 Minutes



































I think that this 60 Minutes episode could have investigated the quantifiable return on taxpayer university investment over say, the last 20 years. Which products specially have saved how many lives like the young lady featured. Secondly, how has the university monetized these break-throughs? Are patents sold to big pharma or are there profits from IPOs? Does the tax payer enjoy the benefit of the investment?
Maybe their are no conservative voices. BECAUSE PEOPLE ATTENDING DONT BELIEVE IT. When "to conserv" means to take care of resources. Then conservative morons say, Drill,Drill,Drill or decorates everything in over abundance that looks nother like conserving. It's pathetic.
What fools they are to trust a malgnant narcissist to take care of them. He is incapable of caring for anyone other than himself. And they have had plenty of opportunity to observe that but they refuse to "see" the facts, the truth, the obvious. Believing he is a smart businessman when there is a long trail of failed businesses in his wake is stunning.
Harvards endowment is larger then 120 countries GDP tax free, why don’t you knock on there door?
there is zero doubt universities have been completely overtaken by malignant activists. SHAME on those trying to pretend cancer research wasn't infiltrated. people aren't stupid. research grants are a privilege not a right. just saying the word cancer doesn't somehow cloak you in a righteous superiority field of unquestionability. do better. display an ounce of humility and be humble for once. these episodes are gross with their tenor and narrative.
trump and maga are traitors to humanity.
Unrepairable damage, research should continue regardless, this is the USA, not the United States of Israel. Shame on this administration.
If trump or his billionaire buddies needed the research it would be funded.
50 years she hasn’t figured it. I doubt she will figure it in another 50 years. Her research is not a loss.
60 Minutes is a lot better after Weiss was hired.
Sounds like the right is demanding a safe space! They are demanding equal exposure for stupid ideas. 😅 the opposite of meritocracy of ideas
Academia and left + right elité produced Trump, yet they are incapable of looking at how or why, because it would compromise their income and ego. Tricky situation.
Harvard, once a beacon of academic excellence, has increasingly transformed into a breeding ground for ideological activism. Its growing embrace of far-left narratives, anti-American sentiment, and radical gender and political agendas threatens the intellectual balance that once defined great universities. Academic institutions should be places that cultivate knowledge, inquiry, and independent thought — not centers for indoctrination that shape young minds to fit cynical worldviews.
In contrast, nations like China attribute much of their rapid rise and innovation to a focused education system rooted in science, mathematics, and creative problem-solving. True progress comes from empowering students to think critically and form their own values, not imposing ideology upon them.
Good thing there are ethical and smart and dedicated scientists around the world, not only in the United States and at the mercy of the dollar and the decision makers who determine where money flows.
Damn didn't expect this to be when I disown Pinker
Harvard is a joke just like our useless government.
Neither has never helped ANY citizens
Great job 60 Minutes for proving that you and all main stream media are smear reporting powerhouses…this was not about Cancer Research, it was about trashing the Trump Administration. Indoctrination liars…😅😅
China is outpacing us because greed makes us stupid
These left leaning institutions like Harvard and CBS (prior to SkyDance’s purchase) think that government funding is the only way to do research. If these scientists’ research is that meaningful and/or profitable, the private market or charities will gladly fund them.
Our adversaries are buying up our scientists and the research left with them. Wow. Never thought we’d see a brain drain this big occur in the US. Differences is exactly why the country was built on specific values…
US academia-science is full of grifters, charlatans, scammers and con artists. All out to defraud government/taxpayers' money. Forewarned!
Voters want the medical care but they have no idea where it comes from.
Slowing research might be helping private industry (big pharma, defense, tech) enjoy more room to leverage existing products and services for more profit before academic research finds better alternatives. I'm guessing DT's circle are invested heavily in those private industries so there's no incentive to fund their competition. Who knows.
Let me tell you, folks, I know research like nobody else. I’ve done the best research — tremendous research. People come up to me all the time and say, ‘Nobody knows research like you!’ And it’s true, believe me, nobody knows research better than me. Absolutely nobody.
Trump is the enemy from within.
I think President Trump wants HU (Harvard University) to stop being reliant on Federal funds and rather seek funding from investors who are interested in this research(es), without saying it.
What is a woman?
Im not one who likes the government spending so much but medical research would be one of the last items I'd want to cut/reform considering its such a small amount of the budget and can provide so much benefit.
I don't think government subsidization of this research is necessary in order to make groundbreaking discoveries and delivering it to the masses (like the many that have been made through free-market capitalism) but like I said science accounts for only 1% of the national spending sooo I'd start by trimming the fat/inefficiency elsewhere first.
You're telling me science and innovation is only possible because of federal funding? Honestly the Government should stay out of picking and choosing winners and losers to receive tax-payer money. They even recently acquired a 10% stake in intel… my god. But I'm sure these won't be like the $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra in 2009 that worked out so well..
Science and Innovation is super important and if we have to have government taxing us for these things then id keep science over some of the other dumb stuff we waste money on BUT if these institutions and programs cant stay alive by themselves then I feel like we have deeper issues going on.
I don't support Joan Brugge's funding being cut, but I do think it's extremely shortsighted and narcissistic how many senior level researchers are well into their 70s without making room for younger, early career scientists. You see this all over the country. It's a gerontocracy. There are very few new research positions because so many are occupied by older, and often less productive researchers with tenure. Even when an older researcher's lab is still producing publications, the actual work is mostly done by graduate students and post docs, which by the way is why the lab coats emblazoned with "Brugge lab" are so distasteful to me. I think it's telling about the entire academic culture. The focus should be on the actual work being done rather than the person, and placing the focus on a singular person again disregards the hard work of the post docs and graduate students who almost certainly do most of the actual work in that lab.
Again, I agree with her that funding being cut is a disaster, but it's really tough to hear this from extremely old academics who have also played a significant role in stymying the next generation through their refusal to make room. The damage people like Joan Brugge cause may not be as direct as cutting funding, but make no mistake they do cause damage.
60 min is a propaganda spin machine.
That's garbage. These universities are not teaching. Just indoctrinate hate and misinformation. . I am blessed I didn't waste money on college for my children who are adults now.. instead trade school. Done in a year and making great money and loving their work. I went to college and when sone took a job I didn't need school for in sales which I live and made a ton of money.
There was never a anti Muslim protest at Harvard!
And where did all this grant money go, grants from our taxes?!? Argentina and Israel. This administration has risked the progress of life saving research to supplement their cronies
So incredibly happy for her. A true testament of why we need to keep funding research so we can have more breakthroughs like this!