“Trump is launching America’s version of the Cultural Revolution”

New York, N.Y. –– On March 14, 2025, Fareed Zakaria, a prominent columnist for The Washington Post and host of CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” published an opinion piece asserting that President Donald Trump’s policies are steering the United States toward a phenomenon he likens to China’s Cultural Revolution.

Titled “Trump is launching America’s version of the Cultural Revolution,” the article critiques what Zakaria perceives as a systematic assault by the Trump administration on higher education, drawing parallels to the tumultuous period in Chinese history marked by ideological purges and institutional upheaval.

Zakaria’s argument centers on recent actions by the Trump administration, particularly its approach to colleges and universities. He points to significant cuts in research funding, which he claims threaten the nation’s competitive edge in innovation and technology.

Additionally, he highlights what he describes as attacks on free speech within academic settings, suggesting that these moves echo the early stages of China’s Cultural Revolution—a decade-long campaign beginning in 1966 under Mao Zedong that sought to eliminate perceived bourgeois elements and enforce ideological conformity, often targeting intellectuals and educational institutions.

The piece details specific policy shifts, including reductions in federal grants for scientific research and proposals to limit visas for international students and scholars—measures Zakaria argues undermine the global standing of American universities.

He writes, “From research funding cuts to attacks on free speech, the Trump administration has declared war on colleges. It resembles nothing so much as the early days of China’s Cultural Revolution.”

This comparison is not framed as a literal equivalence but as a rhetorical device to underscore what Zakaria sees as a dangerous trend toward anti-intellectualism and centralized control over thought.

Zakaria, known for his measured takes on global affairs, acknowledges the historical differences between the two contexts. China’s Cultural Revolution involved mass mobilization, violence, and the shuttering of schools, whereas Trump’s policies operate within a democratic framework.

Nevertheless, he contends that the administration’s rhetoric and actions—such as questioning the value of liberal arts education and targeting specific academic programs—signal a broader intent to reshape American intellectual life in a manner that prioritizes political loyalty over independent inquiry.

The opinion piece arrives amid ongoing debates about the role of higher education in the U.S. Supporters of Trump’s policies might argue that these changes address wasteful spending and realign education with national interests, such as workforce development. Critics, including Zakaria, counter that such moves jeopardize the foundational strengths that have made American universities global leaders, potentially ceding ground to competitors like China in fields like artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Posts on X reflect a polarized response to Zakaria’s column.

Some users praised his stark warning, with one writing, “Fareed Zakaria nails it—Trump’s war on universities could cripple America’s future.” Others dismissed the comparison as hyperbolic, with a user commenting, “Cultural Revolution? That’s a stretch—Trump’s just cutting fat from bloated academia.” The piece has sparked discussions online, though no official response from the Trump administration had emerged by late afternoon on March 14.

Zakaria’s broader body of work
provides context for his perspective.

His 2024 book, Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, explores historical shifts driven by societal upheaval, and this latest column aligns with his tendency to frame contemporary events within larger historical patterns.

His critique is not solely about education; it ties into his recurring concern about the erosion of liberal democratic norms under Trump’s leadership, a theme evident in earlier columns addressing foreign policy and economic nationalism.

As of now, the White House has not directly addressed Zakaria’s claims.

However, the administration’s past statements defending its education policies emphasize fiscal responsibility and a focus on practical skills over what some officials have called “ivory tower elitism.” Whether Zakaria’s warning resonates beyond his readership remains to be seen, but it adds a provocative voice to an already contentious national conversation.

With the current date set at March 14, 2025, Zakaria’s piece lands early in Trump’s second term, assuming his re-election in November 2024. It reflects ongoing tensions between the administration and institutions it has frequently criticized. Whether this signals a deeper cultural shift or remains a rhetorical flourish from a seasoned commentator will likely depend on the trajectory of Trump’s policies in the coming months.

Is Trump Launching America’s Cultural Revolution? Zakaria Thinks So (March 14, 2025)

#TrumpEducation #CulturalRevolution
#FareedZakaria #HigherEd #WashingtonPost