Trump believes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) would not survive without the enrollment of international students from China.
Trump told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Monday (Nov. 10) that China should be given more credit.
“We do have a lot of people coming in from China,” he began. “We also have a massive system of colleges and universities, and if we were to cut that in half… You would have half the colleges in the United States go out of business.”
The president continued, “You would have the historically Black colleges and universities all be out of business.”
Over the years, the composition of HBCUs has changed over time. In 2022, non-Black students made up 24 percent of enrollment at HBCUs, compared with 15 percent in 1976 per the National Center for Education Statistics.
However, despite the rise in non-Black student enrollment, the vast majority of HBCUs still mostly enroll Black students, according to the Pew research Center. In 2022, more than 80% of the student body was Black at 65 of the 99 HBCUs.
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that HBCUs and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) will receive an additional $495 million on top of the anticipated FY 2025 investment. In total, HBCUs will receive over $1.34 billion from the Department for fiscal year 2025.
Social media reactions
One X user wrote, “Since when did HBCUs rely on Chinese students ??? FBA would be having wall To wall spaces if Biden said we need immigrant students.”
“Historically B L A C K Colleges and Universities relying on Chinese students???,” another X user questioned.
Another user claimed Trump’s take was coded racism. “This is so insanely racist. First he is trying to pit Black ppl against Chinese students. Furthering the negative sentiments from AffAct being destroyed. But even more insidious…he thinks Black go to HBCUs because we can’t get into PWIs. This is sick,”