In a recent social media video, President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to provide reparations to White Americans, describing them as “victims” of racial discrimination related to educational policies.
This statement came just days after his election as the 47th President of the United States. Trump stated his intent to pursue federal civil rights actions against schools that “engage in racial discrimination” and practice “illegal discrimination in the name of equity.”
Trump also threatened the budgets of colleges and universities, indicating plans to tax their endowments and impose fines. He mentioned that some of the collected funds would go towards compensating victims of these policies, which he claims have negatively impacted the country. “Colleges have received hundreds of billions from hardworking taxpayers, and it’s time to remove this anti-American nonsense from our institutions. We need real education in America,” he said.
Reactions on social media were swift. One user commented, “The second season of this reality show just scares me minute by minute,” while another warned that Biden-era investments, such as funding for HBCUs and Pell grants, could disappear under Trump’s administration. Some doubted that reparations would actually go to White Americans, suggesting the money might instead benefit Trump. Another user criticized Black voters who supported Trump.
Trump’s statements are linked to his campaign promise to dismantle the Department of Education, aiming to shift educational responsibility back to the states.
Currently, state and local governments fund about 90% of schools. While the Department of Education does not dictate curricula, it oversees several federal grant programs, including $18.4 billion for high-poverty K-12 schools and $15.5 billion for special education. It also supports the $1.6 trillion federal student loan system.
However, abolishing the department, which was created in 1979, would require approval from Congress, a challenging feat.
