Story perspectives

Harvard Honors Conan O'Brien Amid Protests, Trump Lawsuit

5/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Harvard provost John Manning awarded Conan O'Brien an honorary doctorate and the title “Harvard’s own honorary late-night Letterman” at May 28, 2026 commencement.
O'Brien defended international students and mocked the Trump administration’s claim that empathy is weak.
Workers picketed Harvard Yard while pro-Palestinian demonstrators displayed signs condemning the university’s alleged role in Palestinian genocide.
In March the Trump administration sued Harvard, accusing it of ignoring antisemitism and cutting $2.6 billion in research funding.

History

Historical Context

In 1970 Harvard University faced an anti-Vietnam protest, led by its Students for a Democratic Society chapter, with about 1,500 demonstrators demanding changes to the ROTC program. The campus had already seen the 1966 McNamara blockade and the 1967 Dow Chemical sit-in. In May 2026 John Manning honored Conan O’Brien amid pickets and a Trump-era lawsuit over alleged antisemitism and federal funding cuts.

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Story summary

Harvard provost John Manning awarded Conan O'Brien an honorary doctorate and the title “Harvard’s own honorary late-night Letterman” at May 28, 2026 commencement.
O'Brien defended international students and mocked the Trump administration’s claim that empathy is weak.
Workers picketed Harvard Yard while pro-Palestinian demonstrators displayed signs condemning the university’s alleged role in Palestinian genocide.
In March the Trump administration sued Harvard, accusing it of ignoring antisemitism and cutting $2.6 billion in research funding.

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