Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Demands Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities

Fact Sheets

TLDR

This is a “fact” sheet for an executive order that aims to increase transparency of foreign funding in higher education by reinforcing disclosure requirements, addressing claimed administrative weaknesses, and restoring investigative approaches from the previous administration. It responds to concerns about unreported foreign money (allegedly $6.5 billion) and potential national security risks, though the actual scope of deliberate non-compliance versus administrative challenges remains unclear.

The “fact” sheet for the referenced executive order on foreign funding disclosures in higher education contains several misleading claims and lacks important context:

  1. The fact sheet portrays the issue as primarily a failure of the Biden administration, but transparency challenges with foreign funding in universities have persisted across multiple administrations. The claimed $6.5 billion figure lacks independent verification.

  2. The document dramatically characterizes foreign funding as “effectively a black hole” and suggests widespread deception without distinguishing between deliberate concealment and administrative reporting challenges faced by universities.

  3. The claim that “only about 300 of approximately 6,000 U.S. institutions self-report foreign money” is misleading because:

    • Many institutions receive no reportable foreign funding
    • The reporting threshold is $250,000, meaning smaller gifts don’t require disclosure
    • The 6,000 figure likely includes many institutions not subject to these requirements

  4. The document presents a false choice between the Trump administration’s approach and “weakened” oversight, ignoring other potential approaches to improving compliance.

  5. The fact sheet implies the Biden administration deliberately obscured information about foreign funding without evidence of intent.

  6. The document repeatedly references “national security risks” and “compromised academic integrity” without defining these threats or providing examples.

  7. The fact sheet omits that universities already have disclosure requirements for research grants and that many international academic collaborations provide significant benefits to American research and education.

  8. The document doesn’t specify what constitutes compliance or how institutions should address complex multinational funding structures.

  9. MThe reassignment of investigative responsibilities under the Biden administration is presented as purely negative without acknowledging potential organizational rationales.

  10. The fact sheet fails to address how stricter enforcement might affect legitimate international academic partnerships or increase administrative burdens on educational institutions.

ENFORCING TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order bolstering transparency requirements regarding foreign funds flowing to American higher education and research institutions.

  • The Order mandates full and timely disclosure of foreign funding by higher education institutions.

  • It directs the Secretary of Education to:

    • Reverse or rescind any actions by the prior administration that allow universities to obscure details regarding their foreign funding.

    • Require universities to disclose the true source and purpose of foreign funds.

    • Provide the American people with greater access to general information about foreign funding of higher education institutions, which the prior administration kept limited.

    • Work with the Attorney General and relevant departments and agencies to hold non-compliant institutions accountable through audits, investigations, and enforcement actions.

  • To enhance accountability, the Order clarifies that certain Federal grant funds could be revoked for failure to comply with foreign funding disclosure requirements.

SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN INTERESTS: President Trump is committed to protecting national security, academic integrity, and American excellence by ensuring transparency in foreign funding.

  • For far too long, foreign funds have flowed to U.S. colleges and universities with inadequate transparency or oversight.
  • The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations described foreign government spending at America’s universities as “effectively a black hole.”
  • A recent report found that $60 billion in foreign gifts and contracts have been funneled into American colleges and universities over the past several decades.
  • Only about 300 of the approximately 6,000 U.S. institutions self-report foreign money each year.
  • Undisclosed foreign funding raises serious concerns about potential foreign influence, national security risks, and compromised academic integrity.

RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY: President Trump is ending secrecy surrounding foreign funding in higher education to protect students, research, and the marketplace of ideas.

  • In President Trump’s first term, his Department of Education uncovered $6.5 billion in previously unreported foreign funds to U.S. colleges and universities.
  • The Biden Administration weakened these efforts by reassigning investigative responsibilities to an ill-equipped unit, and by reducing oversight and public access to information.
  • This Executive Order reinstates robust enforcement, ensuring foreign funding is transparent and does not compromise American interests.