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Fact check: Has Donald Trump himself ever attended Harvard University or Harvard Business School?

Checked on June 9, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Donald Trump has never attended Harvard University or Harvard Business School. His actual educational path is well-documented: he started at Fordham University in 1964 and later transferred to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1966, where he earned his bachelor's degree in economics in 1968 [1]. A White House spokesperson has explicitly confirmed that Trump did not even apply to Harvard [2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

While Trump didn't attend Harvard, there's important context regarding his relationship with the institution:

  • Trump has been involved in significant disputes with Harvard University during his presidency [3] [4]
  • The Trump administration has taken a confrontational stance toward Harvard, with a White House spokesperson describing it as an "overrated, corrupt institution" [2]
  • Trump's actual educational background includes two distinct institutions: Fordham University (1964-1966) and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (1966-1968) [1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself might stem from confusion due to:

  • Trump's frequent conflicts with Harvard during his presidency, which received significant media coverage [3] [4] [5]
  • The tendency to associate successful business figures with Harvard Business School
  • The deliberate antagonism between Trump's administration and Harvard University, as evidenced by official statements [2]

It's worth noting that multiple sources consistently confirm Trump's actual educational path at Fordham and Wharton [1] [2], making this one of the few aspects of Trump's biography that isn't subject to significant dispute or alternative interpretations.

Want to dive deeper?
What universities did Donald Trump actually attend and graduate from?
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What is Donald Trump's complete educational background and academic history?
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What connections, if any, does Donald Trump have to Harvard University or its faculty?