A new book by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is causing a stir before it even hits shelves. The book, titled “Poisoned Ivies,” claims that some of America’s top colleges are no longer places of learning and free thought, but instead have become centers of corruption, foreign influence, and anti-American ideas. But is there truth behind these bold claims? Let’s take a closer look.
Stefanik, a Republican from New York, is no stranger to the Ivy League. She graduated from Harvard University herself. But she says the school she went to 20 years ago is not the same as it is today. Back then, it leaned left, she admits, but still respected American values. Now, she says, it’s gone off the rails.
The biggest moment that brought this issue into the spotlight happened in late 2023. Stefanik questioned the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania during a House hearing. She asked them if calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their schools’ rules. Their answer? “It depends on the context.”
That moment shocked the nation. The video was viewed over a billion times online. People were stunned that top college leaders couldn’t give a clear answer to a question that should have been simple. Stefanik says this showed the moral and academic decay that’s taken over elite schools.
Her book goes even deeper. It includes stories from students who say they were harassed, threatened, and even needed physical security just to stay on campus. These are not just rumors. Stefanik says she got these stories directly from students while working on the House Education and Workforce Committee. Some of them even shared their experiences in public hearings.
The book also talks about a problem that most people don’t know much about: foreign money. According to a report from Americans for Public Trust, U.S. colleges and universities have accepted $60 billion in foreign gifts and contracts. That includes $20 billion going to elite schools like Harvard and Yale. Even more troubling, nearly $800 million came from countries that are not friendly to the U.S.—places like China, Russia, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Why does this matter? Because when foreign governments give money, they often expect something in return. That could mean pushing certain ideas or silencing others. Stefanik says this is dangerous and that we need stricter rules to stop it.
Another issue she points out is tenure. At many universities, once a professor gets tenure, it’s very hard to fire them. Stefanik says this has allowed extreme ideas to take root and stay there. She believes the system has become a kind of “groupthink” where only one opinion is allowed, and those who speak out are punished.
So what does Stefanik want to happen? First, she wants colleges to be held accountable. Many of them get taxpayer money, and she says that gives the government the right to make sure they are protecting students and promoting American values. She also wants to see less foreign influence, more support for American students, and a serious look at how tenure is being used.
Some people might say this is just politics. After all, Stefanik is running for governor of New York. And yes, she’s a Republican trying to win in a blue state. But even if you take the politics out of it, the facts she brings up are hard to ignore.
Whether or not you agree with Stefanik’s views, her book is shining a light on problems that deserve attention. Our universities shape the next generation of leaders. If they are being influenced by foreign money, or if students don’t feel safe sharing their views, that’s a problem we all should care about.
“Poisoned Ivies” is set to be released in April. When it comes out, it may start even more conversations—and possibly some much-needed changes in America’s top schools.