Apple News Today: Explaining Trump’s Latest Move Against Harvard
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

Introduction

In this episode of Apple News Today, host Shemitah Basu delves into a series of pressing issues, starting with the Trump administration's controversial decision targeting Harvard University. The episode also explores how the Trump family is capitalizing on cryptocurrency, the state of police reform five years after George Floyd's murder, and the impending farewell to the penny. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn throughout the episode.

Trump Administration's Move Against Harvard

Policy Announcement and Rationale

Shemitah Basu opens the discussion by detailing the Trump administration’s recent directive that prohibits Harvard University from enrolling new international students. Existing international students are required to either transfer or relinquish their legal status. This move is part of a broader effort by the administration to compel Harvard to align with its policies and political ideology.

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Statement (00:05):

  "It is a privilege, not a right for universities to enroll foreign students."

Noem's post on X (formerly Twitter) serves as a warning to other universities, urging them to comply or face similar repercussions. Previously, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) threatened to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students unless the university provided records allegedly showing illegal and violent activities by these students.

Impact on Harvard and the Broader Educational Landscape

Harvard, with approximately 6,800 international students—over a quarter of its student body—risks significant financial losses, as international students typically pay full tuition plus room and board. The university has responded by labeling the administration's actions as unlawful and retaliatory, promising to support affected students.

• Ryan Enos, Professor of Government at Harvard (02:06):

  "This punishment isn't just going to Harvard, it's going to the United States. It has taken away a great resource that has built up through these universities."

Economic and Social Repercussions

NBC News correspondent Antonia Hilton adds depth to the discussion by explaining how Harvard's international students subsidize tuition costs for marginalized and underprivileged American students.

• Antonia Hilton (02:28):

  "This is actually going to hurt all of the marginalized and underprivileged Americans who depend on financial aid."

The ongoing conflict between the administration and Harvard has led to at least eight investigations across six agencies, freezing nearly $4 billion in grants and funding. Harvard has filed lawsuits in response, with President Alan Garber asserting the university’s commitment to its independence and constitutional rights.

Current Developments and Legal Challenges

Shortly after Noem's announcement, a federal judge in California temporarily blocked the administration's attempt to terminate the legal status of international students nationwide. This injunction halts immediate enforcement while legal challenges continue.

Trump Family's Involvement in Cryptocurrency

Exclusive Crypto Gala and Investment Dynamics

The episode transitions to an exclusive crypto gala hosted by President Trump in Virginia, which boasted a stringent entry requirement: only the top 220 investors in the Trump family’s crypto coin were granted access. Declan Hardy from Politico uncovers that securing a spot at the event demanded a collective investment exceeding $100 million.

• Declan Hardy (04:51):

  "They're largely saying that this is about meeting the President. It's getting an unusual opportunity to meet the president in a way that maybe wouldn't be available to them in other means."

Monetary Benefits for the Trump Family

Trump launched his cryptocurrency, Trump Coin, in January 2025. Purchases of Trump Coin directly benefit him, with each transaction incurring a small fee that generates millions in trading fees for the Trump family and their partners.

• Declan Hardy (05:17):

  "Whenever the token itself is traded, whether it's bought or sold, there's a tiny little fee that's collected by the Trump family and its partners who are behind the venture."

Motivations Behind Investments

Some investors purchase Trump Coin not merely for financial gains but to gain favor with the president, hoping to influence policies such as tariffs. For instance, a trucking logistics firm invested $2 million in the coin to champion fair trade across the US-Mexico border.

• Trump Coin Investor (05:39):

  "We were hoping to have some sway on tariff policy."

Political and Ethical Concerns

The episode highlights bipartisan concerns regarding the intertwining of Trump’s business ventures with his presidential duties. Democrats, led by Representative Maxine Waters, propose banning presidents from issuing meme coins, criticizing the blurring lines between Trump’s personal business and his role as president.

• Declan Hardy (06:30):

  "There's a concern here about who the president is associating with, whether these are folks who are looking to influence his policy or his perspective on certain issues."

Defenders argue that business engagements are a norm for politicians and compare Trump’s actions to typical donor dinners and lobbying efforts, although critics note the distinct personal financial benefits Trump gains from his cryptocurrency activities.

Performance and Public Reception

Despite the hype, The Guardian reports that nearly half of the top 220 investors have experienced net losses since Trump Coin’s launch, casting doubt on its financial viability.

Five Years After George Floyd: The State of Police Reform

Evolving Landscape of Police Reforms

Marking five years since George Floyd's tragic death, the episode examines the progress and setbacks in the police reform movement. Jamiles Larte from the Marshall Project articulates the regression in reform efforts, highlighting recent legislative and judicial actions that favor police protections over accountability.

• Jamiles Larte (08:25):

  "If you take a step back and you look around, you can see all of these kind of different signs of a movement in retreat or of a moment that has passed."

Recent Legislative Actions

Several states have enacted laws and made judicial decisions that undermine previous reform efforts:

• Alabama's "Back the Blue" Law: Expands legal immunity for police officers.
• Minnesota: An organization supporting bail payments has ceased operations.
• New York: The state Supreme Court removed investigative powers from a local police accountability board.

Federal Level Changes

At the federal level, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration has terminated oversight agreements (consent decrees) with multiple city police departments, including Minneapolis and Louisville.

• Jamiles Larte (09:57):

  "The Trump administration's decision to attempt to unilaterally pull out of all these agreements and end all of these investigations that had not yet led to agreements is unprecedented."

State and Local Responses

Despite federal withdrawals, states like Minnesota continue to enforce their own consent decrees. Local leaders in Minneapolis reaffirm their commitment to police reform, resisting federal rollbacks.

Cultural Shifts and Public Sentiment

Beyond policy, there has been a notable cultural shift away from initiatives like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Public spaces that once symbolized movements, such as the Black Lives Matter plaza in D.C., face removal due to political pressures, reflecting a broader retreat from previously progressive stances.

• Jamiles Larte (10:55):

  "Every countervailing movement creates a new movement in its wake. Like, that's just how history moves."

The future of the police reform movement remains uncertain, hinging on whether future incidents will reignite widespread demand for accountability.

Additional Stories Covered

Vigil Following Fatal Shootings at the Israeli Embassy

An impromptu vigil was held outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., mourning the deaths of two Israeli Embassy staff members, Jeroen Leshinsky (30) and Sarah Milgram (26), who were fatally shot while preparing to get engaged.

• Hadar Susskind, President of the New Jewish Narrative (11:45):

  "We honor the memory of those who were killed yesterday and we speak up and say we have to do better..."

The suspect, charged with murder of foreign officials—a federal terrorism and hate crime investigation—is under scrutiny, with a manifesto purportedly linked to the act being analyzed by authorities.

Supreme Court Decisions on Education

Two significant court rulings emerged:

1. Religious Charter School in Oklahoma: The Supreme Court, in a 4-4 split due to Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s recusal, upheld a lower court ruling that blocked the establishment of the nation’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school.

2. Blocking Trump's Executive Order on Education: A district judge halted President Trump's order to close the Department of Education and mandated the reinstatement of dismissed employees. The administration plans to appeal.

Phasing Out the Penny

The Treasury Department announced the discontinuation of the penny, citing cost inefficiency—producing a penny costs nearly 4 cents. The expected annual savings amount to $56 million. Contrarily, the nickel remains due to its higher production cost at approximately 14 cents, with no plans for its phase-out announced.

• Shemitah Basu (12:07):

  "It costs nearly 4 cents to make a penny, so the move is expected to save $56 million a year."

Conclusion

Shemitah Basu wraps up the episode by highlighting upcoming stories available through the Apple News app and Podcasts, including a poignant narrative featured in The Atlantic about a mother's unwavering belief in her unresponsive son's consciousness after a car crash. As the episode concludes, listeners are wished an enjoyable long weekend for Memorial Day, with a promise of returning news coverage the following Tuesday.

Key Takeaways

• Harvard and International Students: The Trump administration's push against Harvard reflects broader tensions between federal policies and academic independence, with significant implications for international education and university funding.

• Crypto and Political Influence: The Trump family's engagement with cryptocurrency raises ethical questions about the intersection of business and political power, highlighting potential conflicts of interest.

• Police Reform Stagnation: Five years post-George Floyd, police reform faces significant challenges, with legislative and cultural shifts undermining previous advancements.

• Ongoing Legal and Social Developments: From international incidents affecting U.S. communities to pivotal Supreme Court decisions and economic changes like the phasing out of the penny, the episode provides a multifaceted overview of current events shaping the nation.

This detailed summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the Apple News Today episode, offering a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.