Democratic strategist rips Ivy League over federal funding deal, praises Harvard’s “guts” amidst broader critique of shifting institutions.
Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville didn’t mince words on Fox News Thursday, launching a scathing critique against Columbia University for its decision to pay President Trump’s administration $221 million.
Carville ripped the Ivy League institution for what he called an act of “cowardice,” setting him apart from most Democrats who have primarily focused on other issues, like the recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show.
READ: James Carville Has Reached His Wit’s End With Dems’ Identity Politics Obsession
“You were talking about Paramount and how they collapsed. The biggest cavers in the world is Columbia University,” Carville declared during an appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime.” He added, with stark disapproval, “I’ve never seen such cowards in my life. My hat is off to Harvard. At least they have guts.”
Columbia University announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to a $200 million settlement with the federal government, to be disbursed over three years, alongside an additional $21 million to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
This agreement comes after the university lost $400 million in federal funding earlier this year when the administration cut off aid amid a probe into antisemitism on campus.
READ: Columbia University Settles Federal Funding Dispute For Over $220 Million
Acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman defended the agreement, stating, “This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty.” She emphasized that “The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track.” The school maintains the deal will preserve its academic independence.
President Trump, for his part, lauded the agreement on social media, writing, “It’s a great honor to have been involved, and I want to thank and congratulate Secretary Linda McMahon, and all those who worked with us on this important deal. I also want to thank and commend Columbia University for agreeing to do what is right. I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country, maybe greater than ever before!”
READ: Fox News Panel Melts Down After Democrat Strategist Calls Russia Intel ‘Erroneous’
Carville’s appearance also touched on the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show,” which he viewed through a purely economic lens, suggesting it was simply a product of shifting viewer habits rather than political motivations.
“People just don’t watch it like they used to,” Carville commented, linking it to broader changes in the media landscape. But it was his pointed condemnation of Columbia that truly stood out, revealing his deep frustration with what he perceives as a lack of resolve in the face of pressure.
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