The Trump administration is waging an unprecedented war on institutions devoted to research and higher learning. The assault now also targets foreign students and any kind of international collaboration – a major blow to US soft power. Why are Trumpists engaging in what can only be described as an act of wanton self-injury? To be sure, Congress has not gone along with some of the major funding cuts for science Trump keeps requesting; even Republican politicians quietly resist when monies would stop flowing to their districts. University leaders and prominent scientists have to hold the line in opposing possible “deals” with the Trump administration; everyone could have learned by now that Trumpists will not stick to their end of the bargain.