Education Dept. Goes Viral with Takedown of ‘Fake News’ Story on Loan Cuts: No More Handouts for Failing Degrees
The content discusses a controversy involving the U.S. Department of Education and The New Republic regarding a report on student loans and college degree programs. The New Republic claimed that the Trump administration was “banning” students from taking out loans for certain degrees that are considered low-value, such as social work, art, religious studies, and music, implying an attack on these fields. However, the department of Education clarified that they are not banning any programs but are instead holding colleges accountable for programs that leave students worse off financially. The goal is to prevent colleges from profiting excessively from degrees that do not lead to meaningful employment, and to promote transparency and better educational pathways. Additionally, the Department responded to a correction from X’s Community Notes, emphasizing that students are not banned from majoring in any field, but loans may be restricted if graduates earn less than a baseline income, aiming to discourage low-return programs. The article also notes that similar measures were previously supported by Obama.
When a progressive news outlet criticized the Trump administration for refusing to bankroll colleges saddling students with massive amounts of debt, the Department of Education — and the general public — swiftly set the record straight.
The New Republic published an article in July entitled “Trump Moves to Cut Off Student Loans for Tons of Degrees,” reposting the article via social media on Sunday.
The article framed a program meant to stop colleges from profiting by means of unserious degrees as “an attack on those whose work is important regardless of salary.”
In the repost on X, The New Republic even said that President Donald Trump was “banning students majoring in degrees that don’t make enough money from taking out college loans.”
The post complained that “degrees for social work, art, religious studies, teaching aides, and music will be hit the hardest.”
But the Department of Education responded on Monday, calling the report “fake news at its finest.”
“First off, we’re not ‘banning’ any program. The federal government doesn’t set curriculum or programs,” the agency noted.
This is fake news at its finest.
First off, we’re not ‘banning’ any program. The federal government doesn’t set curriculum or programs.
Here’s the truth: we are holding colleges accountable for leaving students worse off than if they never enrolled. Too many graduates… https://t.co/P9yY5B6117
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) September 28, 2026
“Here’s the truth: we are holding colleges accountable for leaving students worse off than if they never enrolled. Too many graduates report delaying major life milestones like buying a home or starting a family,” they added.
“Why? Because low return-on-investment programs saddled them with unmanageable debt that was never going to translate into a real-world job.”
The Department of Education made clear that “federal student loans are not a welfare program for failing college programs.”
“American students deserve education and training pathways that prepare them for the workforce — and transparency about programs that will never pay off.”
Beyond the correction from the Department of Education, The New Republic received a correction from X’s Community Notes program.
“No one is banned from majoring in what they want but student loans are cut off if graduates make less than someone without a college degree,” the Community Note said.
“It’s designed to keep colleges from profiting off of low-value programs.”
The Community Note also observed that The New Republic “praised a very similar move by Obama,”
It linked to a 2014 article entitled “Obama Is Cracking Down on For-Profit Colleges — And Liberals Should Applaud Him for It.”
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
