Former President Trump slammed Columbia University for closing its campus amid violent anti-Israel, pro-Gaza protests, urging the college to “gain a little strength” and “courage” while saying the move “means the other side wins.”
Trump took reporter questions in Trump Tower on Tuesday evening before a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is the current vice president of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party.
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The former president and presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee was asked if he would visit with Jewish students this week amid protests, following the news that House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to visit Columbia University’s campus on Wednesday.
Anti-Israel protesters gather on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 23, 2024. (Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images)
“Well, we have a lot of different things, but what’s going on with the colleges — and they’re closing Columbia now? I mean, it’s just crazy,” Trump said. “Columbia should gain a little strength, a little courage and keep their school open.”
Trump’s comments came after students at Columbia University were instructed that classes had shifted to virtual or hybrid amid ongoing safety concerns stemming from the anti-Israel protests filling the campus.
“It’s crazy because that means the other side wins,” Trump said Tuesday. “When you start closing down colleges and universities — that means the other side [wins.]”
Anti-Israel agitators construct an encampment on Columbia University’s campus in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Peter Gerber)
The former president, pointing to Aso and Japan, said, “In Japan, they don’t know about that. They don’t close. They keep it open. They make it work.”
“The people running Columbia have made a grave mistake,” Trump said.
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Columbia University’s updated guidelines, as of Tuesday morning, said all courses on the Morningside main campus have moved to hybrid learning “until the end of each school’s Spring 2024 semester.”
“Safety is our highest priority as we strive to support our students’ learning and all the required academic operations,” school Provost Angela Olinto wrote in a statement released early Tuesday morning. “It’s vital that teaching and learning continue during this time.”
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