First, the university hashiredBallard Partners, MAGAworld’s leading lobbying firm, to represent its interests in Washington.
Such moves are out of character for Harvard, which has long considered itself in a league unto itself.
“But it’s only going to be in solidarity with other institutions with different public profiles.
They’re morein it togetherthan they might realize.”
Harvard was ramping up its lobbying efforts even before Trump’s victory last November.
In 2024, the school spent more on lobbying than it had in the past 15 years.
The lobbying firm, she adds, gives Harvard “a direct line to the Oval Office.”
“Information seems to be the most valuable thing.
What’s the next shoe to drop?
How do we address this?
How do we respond to the next grant cancellation?”
Beyond the hiring of Ballard, Harvard is exploring ways to make inroads into Trump’s inner circle.
“You make yourself a smaller target if you do this,” says one lobbyist based in Washington.
Such alliances, insiders say, are the new norm for universities and colleges.
“Strange bedfellows,” observes one lobbyist with years of experience in higher education.
“Get used to it.”
Still, the new strategy is fraught with peril for Harvard.
“Make Science Great Again!”
“Science is not the occupation of the elites.
The Trump administration should understand that.”
Less federal aid could mean tighter budgets, fewer jobs, and less student aid.
“You’re trying to mitigate risk.”
The threat to elite schools is likely to mount in the coming months.
(Harvard declined requests for comment.)
In the meantime, the university remains a favorite punching bag for the right.
“Once you cut that money off, that’s a bitch slap.
They’ll start paying attention.”
For now, Harvard is focused on ways to limit the damage.
And for that, the more of Trump’s allies it can enlist, the better.
Dave Levinthalis an investigative journalist in Washington, DC.
