Trump administration proposes ending tax breaks for private universities with DEI policies

The White House announced that a new legislative proposal, dubbed the College Equality Act, is intended to ensure that higher‑education institutions operate on a “level playing field” for all students. According to administration officials, the bill would prohibit universities from implementing programs or policies that give preferential treatment based on socioeconomic status, race, or other demographic characteristics, describing such measures as “woke” campaigns that unfairly advantage certain groups.

Supporters of the measure argue that it will promote merit‑based admissions and reduce what they view as discriminatory practices, while critics—including several university leaders and civil‑rights organizations—contend that the legislation could undermine efforts to address historic inequities and limit the ability of colleges to consider a broad range of factors in enrollment decisions. The proposal is slated for review by Congress in the coming weeks, with both parties indicating that the debate over campus diversity initiatives is likely to intensify.