The White House has teamed up with conservative-leaning Hillsdale College to produce an Independence Day video series, highlighting a strategic cultural and political alliance amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions such as Harvard. The project reinforces Trump’s ideological stance while bypassing traditional higher education channels.
White House Collaborates with Hillsdale College for Independence Day Series
In a notable cultural and political move, the White House has partnered with Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian institution in Michigan, to release a video series commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The first video was shared on social media this week by the White House rapid response team, marking the start of the collaboration.
A Cultural Contrast Amid Higher Education Clashes
This partnership stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against prominent elite universities, particularly Harvard. In recent weeks, the White House has pulled billions in federal funding from institutions it accuses of tolerating antisemitism and resisting governance changes.
Harvard Becomes Central Target of Administration Pressure
Harvard University has faced the brunt of these attacks. After defying White House directives, the administration cut over $2.2 billion in federal funding, prompting Harvard to sue the government. The lawsuit argues that the funding freeze is unlawful and exceeds executive authority.
Hillsdale Emphasizes Independence from Federal Funding
Unlike Harvard, Hillsdale College has long prided itself on operating without federal financial support. College President Larry Arnn reinforced this independence in the project’s first video, stating that the school is contributing the video content to the government at no cost to the public. Hillsdale’s financial independence allows it to sidestep many federal education regulations.
Ties to Trump and Conservative Movements
Hillsdale College has close ties to Donald Trump and the broader conservative movement. Arnn endorsed Trump in 2016, and the college was a part of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s policy blueprint for the next conservative administration. This partnership further cements Hillsdale’s ideological alignment with the Trump White House.
Educational Mission or Political Statement?
The educational video series aims to evoke patriotic sentiment ahead of the U.S. Semiquincentennial. Arnn described the effort as a way to “remember” the country’s founding ideals, subtly aligning the narrative with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” ethos, though he did not mention the slogan directly.
No Government Money Involved, Says Hillsdale
A spokesperson for the college confirmed that Hillsdale is not receiving any financial compensation for the project. The Department of Education and White House have not publicly commented on the arrangement, but Hillsdale insists that the partnership is built around shared educational goals, not funding.
Calls for Other Institutions to Follow Suit
In a recent Fox News interview, Arnn challenged Harvard to emulate Hillsdale’s model and sever its reliance on federal aid if it wishes to avoid federal oversight. This statement reflects a growing divide between institutions embracing federal partnerships and those choosing ideological independence.
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