Harvard Dean Under Scrutiny for 'If Trump Dies, He Dies' Comment, University Silent

Harvard University's Resident Dean of Dunster House, Gregory Davis, is facing intense scrutiny following the resurfacing of past social media posts, including a 2020 tweet where he expressed indifference to former President Donald Trump's potential death, stating, "> "[F]uck that guy and [i]f he dies, he dies."" The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet, first highlighted these controversial remarks, sparking a debate about academic freedom, faculty conduct, and the university's response. Harvard University has not yet announced any disciplinary action, with a spokesman citing policies against commenting on personnel matters.

The unearthed posts by Davis extend beyond the comment regarding Trump. In June 2024, prior to his appointment as Resident Dean, he shared an Instagram post advocating to "> "love each other and hate the police."" During the civil unrest of 2020, he also tweeted that "> "rioting and looting are parts of democracy just like voting and marching."" Additionally, Davis has been criticized for describing "whiteness" as a "self-destructive ideology" and for appearing to celebrate the death of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, as reported by outlets like Harvard Salient.

In his capacity as Resident Dean of Dunster House, Davis plays a critical role as the primary liaison for students, overseeing their academic and personal well-being within one of Harvard's undergraduate residential communities. A Harvard spokesman, Jonathan Palumbo, indicated the university's inability to comment on specific personnel matters but directed inquiries to a message Davis had circulated to the Dunster House community. In this internal communication, Davis stated, "> "These posts do not reflect my current thinking or beliefs. I regret if my statements have any negative impact on the Dunster community."" However, critics question the sincerity of this retraction, noting a lack of explanation for his change in views since some of the more recent posts.

This controversy unfolds amid a period of significant tension for Harvard, which has recently grappled with challenges from conservative critics and the Trump administration. The university has faced past threats to its federal funding and has been pressured regarding issues of ideological diversity and free speech on campus. The incident also follows the high-profile resignation of former President Claudine Gay, whose tenure was marked by intense scrutiny over plagiarism allegations amplified by conservative media outlets, including the Washington Free Beacon. Critics, such as Yardreport, argue that Davis's expressed hostilities towards certain groups compromise his ability to provide an "open and inclusive" environment for all students, particularly those who identify as conservative or hold differing political opinions.