Trump Administration Targets Class-Based Affirmative Action
Here’s a breakdown of the key data from the provided text:
Main Topic: The interview with Richard Kahlenberg about his role in the case that ended race-based affirmative action and his advocacy for class-based affirmative action.
Key Points:
kahlenberg’s position: He supports diversity but was concerned that existing affirmative action policies primarily benefited wealthier Black and Hispanic students, rather than those from low-income backgrounds. He believes class-based affirmative action is a more equitable approach.
Data Supporting His View: Studies showed that a meaningful percentage (71% at Harvard) of Black and hispanic students admitted through affirmative action came from the wealthiest 20% of their respective populations.
Supreme court Ruling: The Supreme Court effectively ended race-based affirmative action in 2023.
Shifting Conservative Stance: While many conservatives initially supported economic affirmative action, some (including the Trump management) now argue that even class-based policies are illegal if they aim too increase racial diversity.
Kahlenberg’s Concern: He finds this shift in position (“shifting the goalposts”) troubling, as it contradicts some of the concurring opinions in the Supreme Court case.
Podcast information: the interview is from the podcast Today, Explained, available on Apple podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.
Kahlenberg’s Affiliation: He is the director of the American Identity Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, though he identifies as left-of-center or liberal rather than strictly progressive.
Links Provided:
Richard Kahlenberg’s website: https://www.richardkahlenberg.org/
Progressive Policy Institute: https://www.progressivepolicy.org/people/richard-d-kahlenberg/
Article about Kahlenberg’s testimony: https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/kahlenberg-future-of-affirmative-action/
Study cited: https://nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/a-middle-ground-on-race-and-college
Data on socioeconomic status of admitted students: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2025/08/12/diversity-campus-college-trump-class
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