Give Harvard’s Billions to the American Working Class Trade Schools [WATCH]

As President Donald Trump’s administration considers revoking billions in federal grant money from Harvard University, television host and skilled trades advocate Mike Rowe is proposing an alternative use for the funds: a massive investment in America’s trade workforce.

During an appearance on Fox Business’ The Bottom Line Tuesday, Rowe, best known for his work on the series Dirty Jobs, laid out a vision that would redirect taxpayer dollars toward vocational education.

His comments come as tensions continue to mount between the Trump administration and Harvard over the university’s handling of antisemitism and foreign student records, with the White House threatening to strip up to $3 billion in federal support.

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“If I had to choose between, should Harvard get $3 billion, or should trade schools, in that world… Obviously, the trade schools. But I think that there’s a bigger issue, honestly,” Rowe said during the interview.

The Trump administration’s ongoing dispute with Harvard has sparked broader national conversations around how elite academic institutions are funded and whether those public resources could be more effectively allocated to programs that support workforce development and address labor shortages.

Rowe offered a direct proposal on how to deploy the funding.

“If I were king of the world with three billion dollars, I would set up the biggest scholarship fund in the history of the country, specifically for the skilled trades,” he said.

“And I would build an infrastructure that would allow people to apply but then be weighed and measured in a way that the taxpayer felt good about… If we’re going to give these kids a full ride to learn how to weld or how to be a plumber, let’s make sure they really want to work.”

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Rowe also highlighted cultural barriers that continue to hinder interest in trade careers.

He argued that many young Americans are unaware of viable career opportunities outside of traditional four-year universities.

“I would spend some of that money making a persuasive case for the jobs that actually exist. The problem, in my view, right now, isn’t too few Harvard grads — it’s a lack of enthusiasm for the trade schools,” he said.

He continued, “I’m sure they’d welcome the money, but what exactly would they do with it to change the stigmas and stereotypes that have kept a whole generation of kids from exploring these careers? That’s what has to change if we want to close the skills gap and address the will gap.”

Despite those challenges, recent data shows enrollment in trade and vocational training is on the rise.

According to The Wall Street Journal, vocational-focused community college enrollment increased by 16% in 2023—the highest level recorded since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking such figures in 2018.

Enrollment in construction trades rose 23%, while HVAC, vehicle maintenance, and repair programs grew by 7% during the same period.

While Rowe acknowledged the growth, he emphasized that the underlying financial disparities and educational priorities must be addressed.

Harvard, he noted, has an endowment of $53.2 billion—an increase of $14 billion since 2018, or roughly $2 billion annually—according to a report from watchdog group OpenTheBooks.

That equates to more than $7 million in endowment funds per undergraduate student.

“This is the wealthiest university on the planet. And their president right now is making an argument that they’re due, under the Constitution, their tax-free status. So, there has to be a giant reset button, obviously,” Rowe said.

Referencing the enrollment data mentioned by co-host David Asman, Rowe added, “While there’s reason for optimism in the stats David just shared… I’m not inclined to panic — but if I could reach the panic button, I’d hit it right now.”

The debate continues as the Trump administration weighs its next move against Harvard, with Rowe and other public figures urging a national rethinking of how federal resources are distributed in the education sector.

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