By CAMERON CHARTERS

Published: 14:48 BST, 4 April 2025 | Updated: 14:48 BST, 4 April 2025

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Donald Trump is demanding British universities which receive funding from the USA prove the money is not being spent on 'woke' research. Executives at the White House are sending letters to lecturers asking them to show that their work has nothing to do with diversity, equality and inclusion known as DEI.

Donald Trump is demanding British universities which receive funding from the USA prove the money is not being spent on ‘woke’ research. Executives at the White House are sending letters to lecturers asking them to show that their work has nothing to do with diversity, equality and inclusion known as DEI. 

Any research schemes which include 'DEI' risk having their funding pulled by the American administration. DEI is a term used to encapsulate policies designed to help prevent discrimination against people from minority backgrounds.

Any research schemes which include ‘DEI’ risk having their funding pulled by the American administration. DEI is a term used to encapsulate policies designed to help prevent discrimination against people from minority backgrounds.

But in recent years it has been criticised as a smokescreen term which includes the promotion of controversial agendas such as gender realignment. The move to remove funding for DEI research comes after Trump promised he would crackdown on diversity programs in his campaign to be re-elected as president.

But in recent years it has been criticised as a smokescreen term which includes the promotion of controversial agendas such as gender realignment. The move to remove funding for DEI research comes after Trump promised he would crackdown on diversity programs in his campaign to be re-elected as president.

And on January 20, at his inauguration Trump signed 'Executive Order 14151, entitled 'Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing'. Since returning to office, Trump has already started to strip his government of DEI roles, as well as taking on American universities and private companies. Although British Universities are independent of governments, specific research areas can receive funding from overseas powers such as China.

And on January 20, at his inauguration Trump signed ‘Executive Order 14151, entitled ‘Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing’. Since returning to office, Trump has already started to strip his government of DEI roles, as well as taking on American universities and private companies. Although British Universities are independent of governments, specific research areas can receive funding from overseas powers such as China.

Trump has also demanded that researchers confirm they are not getting money from Russia, Cuba or Iran. According to Politics Home , several 'higher education figures' have confirmed the White House has been in touch over funding. Universities are already under financial pressure due to less overseas students choosing to come to university in Britain and rising costs.

Trump has also demanded that researchers confirm they are not getting money from Russia, Cuba or Iran. According to Politics Home , several ‘higher education figures’ have confirmed the White House has been in touch over funding. Universities are already under financial pressure due to less overseas students choosing to come to university in Britain and rising costs.

The move is unlikely to go down well with top universities in Britain. Tim Soutphommasane, the chief diversity officer at the University of Oxford, recently told the Higher Education Policy Institute universities have a duty to promote equality. He said: 'The UK is not the US. That is a critical starting point for any approach we have.

The move is unlikely to go down well with top universities in Britain. Tim Soutphommasane, the chief diversity officer at the University of Oxford, recently told the Higher Education Policy Institute universities have a duty to promote equality. He said: ‘The UK is not the US. That is a critical starting point for any approach we have.

'And we should be very mindful of allowing culture war excesses from the US contaminating the public culture here.' In America schools are also facing the withdrawal of funding if they do not ditch DEI policies. In response to Trump's plans large companies such as Apple have simply refused to comply with his order.

‘And we should be very mindful of allowing culture war excesses from the US contaminating the public culture here.’ In America schools are also facing the withdrawal of funding if they do not ditch DEI policies. In response to Trump’s plans large companies such as Apple have simply refused to comply with his order.

While the president's plans to remove more than 4,000 transgender troops from the military were halted by the American courts. Mr Soutphommasane added:'Public institutions in the UK, including universities, have an important role in promoting equality of opportunity and social understanding'.

While the president’s plans to remove more than 4,000 transgender troops from the military were halted by the American courts. Mr Soutphommasane added:’Public institutions in the UK, including universities, have an important role in promoting equality of opportunity and social understanding’.

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Trump demands UK universities do not spend US funding on DEI projects

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