President Donald Trump clarified his administration’s stance on international students Friday, during a joint press conference he conducted with Elon Musk. Trump said foreign students are welcome in the U.S., but with certain conditions. “We want to have great students here. We just don't want students that are causing trouble,” he said.
.@POTUS on international students: "We want to have great students here. We just don't want students that are causing trouble." pic.twitter.com/ZHU4HgGEai
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 30, 2025
He singled out Harvard University, noting its foreign student population is “close to 31%” and claiming, “our country has given Harvard more than $5 million dollars. That’s a lot.” Trump criticized Harvard for “trying to be a big shot” while praising Columbia University and other schools for “acting very well.”
Trump also hinted at an ongoing legal matter involving federal grants with Harvard and expressed certainty in winning the case. “We have the right to make grants. It's a case we are going to win.”
