Why Universities Lost Their Credibility: Trump’s Crazy Degree Designation List

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:12:35 +0000

Why Universities Lost Credibility: The Rise and Fall Amid Trump’s Crazy Degree Designation List In recent years, American higher education has faced mounting scrutiny over declining public trust. One controversial factor that fueled this erosion of credibility was the so-called “Trump Degree Designation List” — a term gaining attention during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles. While not an official government document, this informal ranking scheme symbolized growing skepticism about academic legitimacy under political pressure. This article explores how political controversies surrounding unverified degrees eroded confidence in universities, the reasons behind the credibility crisis, and what officials and educators must do to rebuild trust. --- ### The Origins of the “Degree Designation List” Controversy