Several social media users on Tuesday wondered if President-elect Donald Trump would pay reparations to “White” people who have suffered “racial discrimination” due to “diversity initiatives” in higher education. The speculation arose after the Republican released a video discussing his proposed reforms for the U.S. education system.
"Tuition costs at colleges and universities have been exploding, and I mean absolutely exploding. While academics have been obsessed with indoctrinating America's youth, the time has come to reclaim our once-great educational institutions from the radical left, and we will do that. Our secret weapon will be the college accreditation system," Trump said in the video.
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The 78-year-old further stated that “accreditors are supposed to ensure that schools are not ripping off students and taxpayers, but they have failed totally.” He argued that “radical left accreditors” have allowed Marxist and “anti-American” ideologies to proliferate in higher education.
Trump announces reparations for white people. He says he will ask the Justice Department to penalize colleges that consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and fine them so he can pay “restitution” to white people who he considers the real victims of racial discrimination. pic.twitter.com/69sFbAz3rF
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) November 12, 2024
He also discussed introducing new standards for colleges, emphasizing the protection of free speech, reducing administrative costs, and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion roles.
Trump ended his speech by stating that he intends to direct the Department of Justice to take civil rights action against schools engaging in racial discrimination under equity policies, with penalties that could include potential fines or reductions in endowment funds.
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The president-elect’s speech sparked rumors about “reparations.”
"Trump is about to pay reparations to white people who have suffered 'racial discrimination' due to 'diversity initiatives' in higher education. This is exactly why ideas such as 'Black people can be racist toward Whites' have to be shut down. They’re about to institutionalize that," one person said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
"Trump announces reparations for white people. He says he will ask the Justice Department to penalize colleges that consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and fine them so he can pay 'restitution' to white people who he considers the real victims of racial discrimination," another user added.
However, it is important to note that Trump has not announced any reparation programs yet.