In a revealing interview that has sparked widespread discussion about academic freedom and political diversity, a distinguished Harvard professor has conceded there might be some validity to former President Donald Trump's characterisation of the Ivy League institution as excessively liberal.
The Controversial Admission
During the latest episode of CBS's 60 Minutes, veteran Harvard professor Steven Pinker told reporter Bill Whitaker that there exists a 'grain of truth' in Trump's assertion that Harvard has become a 'liberal mess' populated by 'woke, radical left idiots and birdbrains.'
The cognitive psychologist, who has taught at Harvard for 22 years, responded to Whitaker's direct questioning about whether Trump's scathing assessment held any validity. 'The language is a bit harsh, but does he have a point here?' the journalist asked, to which Pinker surprisingly responded: 'Not there, no. I think there's a grain of truth in that.'
A visibly taken aback Whitaker pressed further: 'What's the grain of truth?' prompting Pinker to elaborate that while he agreed Harvard needed more conservative voices, he didn't want Trump determining who those individuals should be or how many should be appointed.
Broader Context of Federal Funding Battles
This revealing interview comes against the backdrop of significant financial pressure from the Trump administration on Ivy League institutions. Earlier this year, Trump cut nearly $3 billion in federal grants to Harvard - representing the largest freeze of its kind - due to the university's failure to comply with recommendations from a federal antisemitism task force.
The funding withdrawal affected multiple prestigious institutions over concerns about campus antisemitism and efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Harvard responded with legal action, and in early September, a federal district court judge blocked the funding freeze, describing it as an 'ideologically motivated assault.' The Trump administration has vowed to appeal this decision.
Other Ivy League universities faced similar financial pressures:
- Columbia University faced a $400 million federal grant freeze threat after pro-Palestine demonstrations
- The institution agreed to overhaul its student disciplinary process and pay a $200 million fine
- Brown University made concessions on gender definitions and race considerations in admissions
- University of Pennsylvania modified school records set by a transgender swimmer
Academic Freedom Under Scrutiny
Professor Pinker didn't hold back in his criticism of Harvard's handling of diverse opinions, stating: 'Harvard has not done enough to ensure a wide range of opinions being represented on campus... I think there have been too many incidents in which someone has expressed a controversial opinion and has been shamed or cancelled.'
He specifically highlighted the case of biology lecturer Carole Hooven, who resigned from Harvard in 2021 after feeling ostracised following controversial comments made on Fox News. Hooven had stated: 'The ideology seems to be that biology really isn't as important as how somebody feels about themselves or feels their sex to be. The facts are that there are, in fact, two sexes - there are male and female - and those sexes are designated by the kind of gametes we produce.'
Pinker's comments represent a significant acknowledgement from within the academic establishment that concerns about political homogeneity in elite universities may have legitimate foundations, even as the methods and language used by critics remain contentious.
