United States President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to strip Harvard University of its tax exempt status, a move that could cost the Ivy League institution billions of dollars if implemented.
“We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” Trump wrote on Friday, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.
The statement is the latest threat in a continuing feud between the Republican president and Harvard, the country’s oldest higher-education institution.
Since taking office for a second term on January 20, Trump has sought to increase his control over US universities and crack down on what he considers “illegal protests” on campus.
But Harvard has been a focal point for his public ire, particularly after school leaders refused a list of demands the Trump administration sent on April 11.
In a five-page letter (PDF), Trump officials called on Harvard to reform its student disciplinary system, investigate protesters involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, commission an external audit of programmes deemed anti-Semitic and eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
The letter also required Harvard to commit to “viewpoint diversity” in its hiring and admissions practices, something it was expected to accomplish through “structural and personnel changes”. Critics said this mandate was tantamount to Trump attempting to impose a political litmus test on the school.
By April 14, Harvard’s President Alan Garber had rejected the letter. In a statement published to Harvard’s website, he explained that Trump’s demands infringed upon Harvard’s academic freedom, among other rights.
“The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Garber wrote. “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”
The Trump administration swiftly responded by suspending nearly $2.2bn in grants and contracts to the school.
It has since filed a lawsuit (PDF) challenging Trump’s attempts to withhold federal funding from the school, calling the move “leverage to gain control of academic decision-making at Harvard”.
Shortly after halting the grants and contracts, Trump turned his attention to Harvard’s tax exempt status, ratcheting up the pressure on the school.
Educational institutions, charities, nonprofits and institutions of scientific research are among the entities eligible to apply for tax exempt status under US law. That status offers those organisations relief from paying federal income and property taxes.
But on April 15, Trump mused on social media that Harvard should lose that exemption, on account of its handling of pro-Palestinian student protests.
“Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax-Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’” Trump wrote.
US media reports later indicated that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was having internal deliberations about whether to revoke the school’s IRS status, despite such action being relatively rare.
But under the US Code, it is illegal for the president, vice president or any of their employees to petition the IRS — even indirectly — to conduct an audit of any taxpayer.
Democrats have seized on that fact to push for an investigation into the Trump administration’s actions towards Harvard.
“The President is targeting the non-profit status of Harvard University for blatantly political purposes,” Democratic senators including Chuck Schumer, Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren wrote in a joint letter on Friday.
“This is a war crime.” A representative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused “Israel or one of its allies” of conducting what the group says was a drone attack on its ship carrying aid to Gaza. The Israeli government has not responded to the allegations.
GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes has opened up about his health struggles over the years and recently revealed that life was “not easy these days” after being taken to hospital via ambulance
Eamonn Holmes has opened up about his health struggles over the years(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Eamonn Holmes has been inundated with support from fans after revealing he’d been rushed to hospital in an ambulance. The GB News presenter shared on social media that he’d been taken to hospital via ambulance following a fall at his home.
Issuing the worrying health update, he wrote: “An unexpected journey this morning ….. bit of a fall on the bathroom floor. Gosh it hurts . Thank you Ambulance crew.” In a follow up post, he added: “Not how I wanted to be spending The Holiday weekend ….. but life’s not easy these days. Thanks to everybody who is looking after me.”
In response, Eamonn’s fans were quick to show their support for the TV personality. “Get well soon Big man, less dancing more singing in the bathroom from here on,” wrote one. “Ohh Eammon! Hope you recover quickly. Best wishes,” commented another.
But this isn’t the first time that 65-year-old Eamonn has opened up about his health. Over the years, he has been candid about struggling with some serious health concerns.
READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes rushed to hospital in ambulance after suffering painful fall
Eamonn sadly shared that life was “not easy these days”(Image: eamonnholmes/Instagram)
Hip replacement
The TV star refused to have his hip replaced for three decades before finally undergoing surgery on both in 2016, aged 55. He went ahead with the major op to tackle the chronic hip, leg and back pain which caused him ‘sleepless nights’ and ‘not being able to drive, let alone do anything more physically active’.
Article continues below
Eamonn made a good recovery from his double hip replacement and went onto lose three stone in a battle to boost his health. He just wished he had had it done sooner. “Waiting was the worst decision I ever made,” he told the Telegraph. “After having both of mine replaced seven years ago, aged 55, I haven’t had a single regret: in fact, it’s been life-changing.”
Shingles
Eamonn was struck down with the viral infection that causes a painful rash in 2018, saying he looked ‘as if someone had taken a baseball bat to my face’. The star believed his severe Shingles had been brought on by a ‘stressful tax row’ which saw him battle with HMRC over whether he was classed as staff or a freelancer as a presenter at This Morning.
“It was bloody scary to see it,” he told The Sun. “It looked as if someone had taken a baseball bat to my face and smashed me about a bit.” More terrifyingly, Eamonn said the infection could have caused him to go blind.
“Blindness could have been a complication in my case,” he said. “The doctor said it’s really bad for you because it’s around your eyes, and could be bad for your ophthalmic nerves. Medically, it was pretty serious.”
The broadcaster undergoes daily physiotherapy for his chronic back pain
The star has tried everything from back stretching to ice baths
Slipped discs
The most serious of Eamonn’s health woes began in early 2021. The broadcaster soon shared his chronic pain with his social media followers, writing: “A month ago I did something to my back. I don’t know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever. I’ve got an MRI scan but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven’t got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can’t sleep at night.”
The star went onto discover he had three slipped discs, which are caused by the soft cushion of tissue between the bones in the spine bulging outwards. They were affecting movement in Eamonn’s right leg, meaning he had to walk with a stick. He had epidural injections to manage his pain, saying they ‘helped to a degree but didn’t cure the problem’.
Spinal surgery
Eamonn flew over to Belfast to host an event for pal Gloria Hunniford in May 2022 and ended up in A&E after his spinal problems caused bladder and bowel issues. He spent nine days in hospital at The Royal Victoria Hospital, with doctors feeling surgery would be too risky, returning with problems in his left leg as well as his right.
The star then received advice from an unlikely source – S Club 7 original Jo O’Meara. “She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon,” he told Mail Online. “I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate.”
Eamonn went under the knife in September 2022, saying: “It went well – the doctor tidied things up and generally the pain has gone which is brilliant. The flip side is that it has now left me with an issue in my left leg, which would collapse unexpectedly.”
Following his battles with chronic back pain, the star uses sticks to get about(Image: Getty Images)
Horror fall
The TV host’s problems with his left leg following his operation led to six falls within 10 days. In October 2022, he fell down 18 stairs at home in Surrey when his leg once again gave way. “I just went back down the stairs, boom, boom, boom down the whole staircase until I hit the stone floor in the hallway,” he told Mail Online. “Blood was pouring out my mouth and a bone was sticking out my shoulder.”
Eamonn faced six weeks of rehabilitation at a specialist centre. Heartbreakingly, his ongoing mobility issues meant he was forced to miss his mother Josephine’s funeral that November. “It’s something I never thought I would have to face in life,” he said. “Not being at my mother’s funeral. That was a terrible low. It was just inconceivable being Irish Catholic that you wouldn’t be carrying your mother’s coffin.”
Plea for fans’ ‘prayers’
In March 2025, Eamonn discussed the realities of living with his pain and expressed his fears at “never” being able to “beat” his disc immobility. Sharing a selfie taken from inside his car, he wrote: “Even when the sun shines there’s pain. Sometimes I feel I’ll never beat this disc immobility, but I’m determined to have a life… so pray for me, help me, or get out of the way, social media haters.”
In response to the heartbreaking plea, Eammon’s followers flocked to the comments section where they shared their support for the broadcaster. “Hope you feel better soon Eamonn,” wrote one. Another commented: “Oh Eamonn sending so much love and well wishes.”
Eamonn opened up about the realities of living with his disc immobility(Image: Instagram)
It came just months after he spoke about his need to “rely” on other people – something he revealed he struggled with. During a segment on GB News in December, the former This Morning star addressed the prospect of using public transport amid predicted traffic jams on the road.
“The train definitely could be a dream, but I’m now sort of wheelchair laden, and you rely on a lot of people to get you on and off,” he said. “It’s very, very difficult doing that, I just threw that in, it’s not a concern to anybody, but there we go.”
Ruth’s ‘sadness’ over health struggles
Eamonn and Ruth Langsford may have split last year after 14 years of marriage, but it’s been claimed that the Loose Women star’s concerns for her ex haven’t simply vanished, especially amid his seeming poor health struggle, reports OK!.
A source claimed: “Ruth honestly doesn’t talk about Eamonn, she’s really moved on from that part of her life. But of course, she does care about him, because they share a child and they were married for a long time.”
Article continues below
However, the source added that, despite feeling ‘sad’ about Eamonn’s struggles, Ruth is remaining strong. “She has seen that he is struggling, and it’s sad to see anyone in that situation. Of course, she fears for him and doesn’t want to think of Eamonn battling with his health – but she has to focus on herself and her own life now,” the continued.
READ MORE: Amazon shoppers say £23 headphones are ‘great value’ in 82% price drop
GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes has opened up about his health struggles over the years and recently revealed that life was “not easy these days” after being taken to hospital via ambulance
Eamonn Holmes has opened up about his health struggles over the years(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Eamonn Holmes has been inundated with support from fans after revealing he’d been rushed to hospital in an ambulance. The GB News presenter shared on social media that he’d been taken to hospital via ambulance following a fall at his home.
Issuing the worrying health update, he wrote: “An unexpected journey this morning ….. bit of a fall on the bathroom floor. Gosh it hurts . Thank you Ambulance crew.” In a follow up post, he added: “Not how I wanted to be spending The Holiday weekend ….. but life’s not easy these days. Thanks to everybody who is looking after me.”
In response, Eamonn’s fans were quick to show their support for the TV personality. “Get well soon Big man, less dancing more singing in the bathroom from here on,” wrote one. “Ohh Eammon! Hope you recover quickly. Best wishes,” commented another.
But this isn’t the first time that 65-year-old Eamonn has opened up about his health. Over the years, he has been candid about struggling with some serious health concerns.
READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes rushed to hospital in ambulance after suffering painful fall
Eamonn sadly shared that life was “not easy these days”(Image: eamonnholmes/Instagram)
Hip replacement
The TV star refused to have his hip replaced for three decades before finally undergoing surgery on both in 2016, aged 55. He went ahead with the major op to tackle the chronic hip, leg and back pain which caused him ‘sleepless nights’ and ‘not being able to drive, let alone do anything more physically active’.
Article continues below
Eamonn made a good recovery from his double hip replacement and went onto lose three stone in a battle to boost his health. He just wished he had had it done sooner. “Waiting was the worst decision I ever made,” he told the Telegraph. “After having both of mine replaced seven years ago, aged 55, I haven’t had a single regret: in fact, it’s been life-changing.”
Shingles
Eamonn was struck down with the viral infection that causes a painful rash in 2018, saying he looked ‘as if someone had taken a baseball bat to my face’. The star believed his severe Shingles had been brought on by a ‘stressful tax row’ which saw him battle with HMRC over whether he was classed as staff or a freelancer as a presenter at This Morning.
“It was bloody scary to see it,” he told The Sun. “It looked as if someone had taken a baseball bat to my face and smashed me about a bit.” More terrifyingly, Eamonn said the infection could have caused him to go blind.
“Blindness could have been a complication in my case,” he said. “The doctor said it’s really bad for you because it’s around your eyes, and could be bad for your ophthalmic nerves. Medically, it was pretty serious.”
The broadcaster undergoes daily physiotherapy for his chronic back pain
The star has tried everything from back stretching to ice baths
Slipped discs
The most serious of Eamonn’s health woes began in early 2021. The broadcaster soon shared his chronic pain with his social media followers, writing: “A month ago I did something to my back. I don’t know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever. I’ve got an MRI scan but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven’t got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can’t sleep at night.”
The star went onto discover he had three slipped discs, which are caused by the soft cushion of tissue between the bones in the spine bulging outwards. They were affecting movement in Eamonn’s right leg, meaning he had to walk with a stick. He had epidural injections to manage his pain, saying they ‘helped to a degree but didn’t cure the problem’.
Spinal surgery
Eamonn flew over to Belfast to host an event for pal Gloria Hunniford in May 2022 and ended up in A&E after his spinal problems caused bladder and bowel issues. He spent nine days in hospital at The Royal Victoria Hospital, with doctors feeling surgery would be too risky, returning with problems in his left leg as well as his right.
The star then received advice from an unlikely source – S Club 7 original Jo O’Meara. “She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon,” he told Mail Online. “I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate.”
Eamonn went under the knife in September 2022, saying: “It went well – the doctor tidied things up and generally the pain has gone which is brilliant. The flip side is that it has now left me with an issue in my left leg, which would collapse unexpectedly.”
Following his battles with chronic back pain, the star uses sticks to get about(Image: Getty Images)
Horror fall
The TV host’s problems with his left leg following his operation led to six falls within 10 days. In October 2022, he fell down 18 stairs at home in Surrey when his leg once again gave way. “I just went back down the stairs, boom, boom, boom down the whole staircase until I hit the stone floor in the hallway,” he told Mail Online. “Blood was pouring out my mouth and a bone was sticking out my shoulder.”
Eamonn faced six weeks of rehabilitation at a specialist centre. Heartbreakingly, his ongoing mobility issues meant he was forced to miss his mother Josephine’s funeral that November. “It’s something I never thought I would have to face in life,” he said. “Not being at my mother’s funeral. That was a terrible low. It was just inconceivable being Irish Catholic that you wouldn’t be carrying your mother’s coffin.”
Plea for fans’ ‘prayers’
In March 2025, Eamonn discussed the realities of living with his pain and expressed his fears at “never” being able to “beat” his disc immobility. Sharing a selfie taken from inside his car, he wrote: “Even when the sun shines there’s pain. Sometimes I feel I’ll never beat this disc immobility, but I’m determined to have a life… so pray for me, help me, or get out of the way, social media haters.”
In response to the heartbreaking plea, Eammon’s followers flocked to the comments section where they shared their support for the broadcaster. “Hope you feel better soon Eamonn,” wrote one. Another commented: “Oh Eamonn sending so much love and well wishes.”
Eamonn opened up about the realities of living with his disc immobility(Image: Instagram)
It came just months after he spoke about his need to “rely” on other people – something he revealed he struggled with. During a segment on GB News in December, the former This Morning star addressed the prospect of using public transport amid predicted traffic jams on the road.
“The train definitely could be a dream, but I’m now sort of wheelchair laden, and you rely on a lot of people to get you on and off,” he said. “It’s very, very difficult doing that, I just threw that in, it’s not a concern to anybody, but there we go.”
Ruth’s ‘sadness’ over health struggles
Eamonn and Ruth Langsford may have split last year after 14 years of marriage, but it’s been claimed that the Loose Women star’s concerns for her ex haven’t simply vanished, especially amid his seeming poor health struggle, reports OK!.
A source claimed: “Ruth honestly doesn’t talk about Eamonn, she’s really moved on from that part of her life. But of course, she does care about him, because they share a child and they were married for a long time.”
Article continues below
However, the source added that, despite feeling ‘sad’ about Eamonn’s struggles, Ruth is remaining strong. “She has seen that he is struggling, and it’s sad to see anyone in that situation. Of course, she fears for him and doesn’t want to think of Eamonn battling with his health – but she has to focus on herself and her own life now,” the continued.
READ MORE: Amazon shoppers say £23 headphones are ‘great value’ in 82% price drop
Pep Guardiola says he will take a break from management after he leaves Manchester City, though he does not know when he will retire.
Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension in November, extending his stay at the club until June 2027.
By that time the 54-year-old will have been at City for 11 years – he spent four years as Barcelona manager before taking charge of Bayern Munich for three.
“After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure,” Guardiola told ESPN.
“I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, Guardiola clarified that he won’t necessarily leave City at the end of his current contract.
“I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of season or the end of contract,” he said.
“I said when I finish my time here, be it one, two, three, four, five years, I will take a break.
“I won’t retire but I will take a break. What I am saying is when I am finished here I will take a break,”
Guardiola has overseen the most successful period in City’s history, with his side winning six of the past nine Premier League titles as well as the club’s first Champions League as part of a Treble in 2022-23.
This season City have failed to reach their previous heights and are currently fourth in the table with four games left to play.
“How I want to be remembered, I don’t know,” Guardiola said. “I want people to remember me however they want.
“All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City had fun watching my teams play.
“I don’t think we should ever live thinking about whether we’re going to be remembered.
“When we die, our families cry for two or three days and then that’s it – you’re forgotten. In the careers of coaches, there are good and bad ones, the important thing is that the good ones are remembered for longer.”
Pep Guardiola says he will take a break from management after he leaves Manchester City, though he does not know when he will retire.
Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension in November, extending his stay at the club until June 2027.
By that time the 54-year-old will have been at City for 11 years – he spent four years as Barcelona manager before taking charge of Bayern Munich for three.
“After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure,” Guardiola told ESPN.
“I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, Guardiola clarified that he won’t necessarily leave City at the end of his current contract.
“I didn’t say I’m leaving now or at the end of season or the end of contract,” he said.
“I said when I finish my time here, be it one, two, three, four, five years, I will take a break.
“I won’t retire but I will take a break. What I am saying is when I am finished here I will take a break,”
Guardiola has overseen the most successful period in City’s history, with his side winning six of the past nine Premier League titles as well as the club’s first Champions League as part of a Treble in 2022-23.
This season City have failed to reach their previous heights and are currently fourth in the table with four games left to play.
“How I want to be remembered, I don’t know,” Guardiola said. “I want people to remember me however they want.
“All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City had fun watching my teams play.
“I don’t think we should ever live thinking about whether we’re going to be remembered.
“When we die, our families cry for two or three days and then that’s it – you’re forgotten. In the careers of coaches, there are good and bad ones, the important thing is that the good ones are remembered for longer.”
