Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made a statement without saying much—at least not at first.
Following the Trump administration’s decision to freeze $2.2 billion in grants and contracts for Harvard University, Kerr appeared at a postgame press conference Tuesday night wearing a Harvard basketball shirt, signaling his support for the embattled institution.
“Is something going on?” Kerr joked, prompting laughter from reporters. Then he got serious.
“[Harvard coach] Tommy Amaker is a friend, and he sent me the shirt. I figured today was the perfect day to wear it,” Kerr explained. “I believe in academic freedom. Universities should run their institutions as they see fit, not under threat from the government. This is me backing Harvard.”
He didn’t mince words about the freeze: “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard—but it’s kind of par for the course right now. Way to go, Harvard. Way to stand up to the bully.”
A Political Backdrop
The federal funding freeze came after Harvard President Alan M. Garber said the university would not comply with new government demands related to addressing campus antisemitism. Garber accused the administration of trying to force compliance under financial pressure rather than fostering cooperation.
“This isn’t about solutions—it’s about control,” Garber wrote in a statement. “We’ve told the administration through our lawyers: we won’t accept their terms.”
Earlier this month, a federal task force began reviewing Harvard’s contracts, part of a broader investigation into antisemitism on college campuses. The total value of Harvard’s active federal agreements exceeds $9 billion.
Kerr’s Long-Standing Stance
Kerr’s support for Harvard is consistent with his history of political engagement. The Warriors coach, whose father was assassinated in Beirut while serving as a university president, has long criticized Trump and previously endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race.
He also delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention, where he advocated for educational freedom and condemned government overreach.
Kerr made his remarks after his team defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, securing the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
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