Trump's online invectives and Harvard's equally staunch response belie the fact that it is "not immediately clear" whether the IRS is moving forward with revoking the school's tax-exempt status, said The New York Times.

After the university rejected his administration’s demands, President Donald Trump threatened to tax Harvard as a "political entity," following his move to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding to the school. He doubled down on his ultimatums three weeks later, insisting that Harvard losing its tax-exempt status was "what they deserve."

A bill in Congress would increase the endowment tax for Harvard and other schools to 21%, the equivalent of the corporate tax rate.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon posted a harshly worded letter to Harvard on Monday saying the school must meet several criteria to receive new grants.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon sent a letter to Harvard on Monday telling the university it will no longer be eligible for new research grants from the government as it and the Trump