Ivy League Universities Soften Criticism of Federal Attacks on Higher Education
Several Ivy League universities, including Princeton, Columbia, and Cornell, have notably softened their public criticism of federal attacks on higher education in their 2026 graduation speeches compared to 2025. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, these institutions have faced federal actions such as grant money cuts, pressure to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, crackdowns on international student visas, and the termination of graduate program sponsorships for active-duty military. While Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 was outspoken in 2025, his 2026 speech shifted to broader themes of courage and dissenting opinions, omitting direct criticism of the administration. Columbia and Cornell, which had previously made deals with the Trump administration to restore funding after initial freezes, also adopted a less confrontational tone in their 2026 addresses. This shift suggests a strategic decision by some universities to avoid further provoking federal scr...