By — Michael Casey, Associated Press Michael Casey, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/watch-live-conan-obrien-delivers-harvard-commencement-address Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Conan O'Brien delivers Harvard commencement address Education May 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Comedian and television host Conan O'Brien will entertain Harvard University graduates at their commencement Thursday, at a time when the Ivy League school is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Watch the Harvard University commencement ceremony live in the video player above. The administration sued Harvard in March, accusing its leadership of failing to address antisemitism on campus. The move came months after a judge sided with Harvard in another lawsuit and ordered the administration to reverse billions of dollars in funding cuts. WATCH LIVE: Vance delivers U.S. Air Force Academy commencement address The administration had slashed more than $2.6 billion in Harvard's research funding, ended federal contracts and attempted to block the college from hosting international students. Harvard had argued it was being illegally penalized for refusing to adopt the Trump administration's views. Harvard commencements in recent years have become much more political, partly because of the ongoing battles with the federal government. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Last year, students cheered speakers who emphasized maintaining a diverse and international student body and standing up for truth in the face of attacks by the Trump administration. A year before that, graduates walked out of the commencement chanting "Free, free Palestine" after weeks of protests on campus over the war in Gaza. Others chanted "Let them walk, let them walk," after the school announced some students who were part of a protest encampment would not get their diplomas alongside other graduates. This year, striking graduate students at Harvard announced that they would be picketing commencement over a lack of progress in their contract negotiations with the university. The over 4,000 graduate student workers want better pay, an independent process for dealing with harassment and discrimination complaints and contractual protection for noncitizen and disabled workers, among other issues. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Michael Casey, Associated Press Michael Casey, Associated Press
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Comedian and television host Conan O'Brien will entertain Harvard University graduates at their commencement Thursday, at a time when the Ivy League school is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Watch the Harvard University commencement ceremony live in the video player above. The administration sued Harvard in March, accusing its leadership of failing to address antisemitism on campus. The move came months after a judge sided with Harvard in another lawsuit and ordered the administration to reverse billions of dollars in funding cuts. WATCH LIVE: Vance delivers U.S. Air Force Academy commencement address The administration had slashed more than $2.6 billion in Harvard's research funding, ended federal contracts and attempted to block the college from hosting international students. Harvard had argued it was being illegally penalized for refusing to adopt the Trump administration's views. Harvard commencements in recent years have become much more political, partly because of the ongoing battles with the federal government. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Last year, students cheered speakers who emphasized maintaining a diverse and international student body and standing up for truth in the face of attacks by the Trump administration. A year before that, graduates walked out of the commencement chanting "Free, free Palestine" after weeks of protests on campus over the war in Gaza. Others chanted "Let them walk, let them walk," after the school announced some students who were part of a protest encampment would not get their diplomas alongside other graduates. This year, striking graduate students at Harvard announced that they would be picketing commencement over a lack of progress in their contract negotiations with the university. The over 4,000 graduate student workers want better pay, an independent process for dealing with harassment and discrimination complaints and contractual protection for noncitizen and disabled workers, among other issues. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now