Donald Trump breaks silence on campus protests as he slams 'radical left lunatics'

Donald Trump has weighed in on the escalating campus protests over Israel and Palestine, criticizing 'out of control' students. The ex-president broke his silence on the student demonstrations that are demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump lambasted the students who have set up camps on university campuses across the US , suggesting that college administrators have not managed to get a grip on the situation.

He called for "weak and ineffective leadership" to be "replaced" swiftly to quell the unrest.

• Donald Trump 'slumped back in chair with eyes closed' in court as he gives fist pump

• Donald Trump's prison experience if convicted in criminal case - from cellmates to security

Amid reports of Jewish students facing increased hostility and harassment, Trump emphasized that antisemitism "must be stopped quickly and effectively".

His remarks come as confrontations between student protesters and police reached a new intensity, with NYPD officers storming Columbia University to evict students occupying the main administrative building, reports the Express US .

At UCLA, tensions boiled over as pro-Palestine demonstrators and pro-Israel counter-protesters clashed, with the latter accused of attacking the encampment with fireworks and mace.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence as "absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable" on social media platform X, confirming that LAPD officers were responding to the incidents.

• Donald Trump's lawyer makes shock confession that ex-president will 'likely' go to prison

Local officials have described the protesters as "out of control" and issued warnings that the campus environment is "no longer safe."

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Trump remarked: "This violence has to stop immediately. Weak and ineffective leadership at colleges and universities must be replaced, and fast."

He continued: "Antisemitism cannot be allowed to fester. It must be stopped quickly and effectively."

Trump reiterated his stance on Truth Social, posting: "Do you think that the Radical Left Lunatics that are causing all of the CHAOS at our Colleges and Universities are doing so in order to take the FOCUS away from our Southern Border, where millions of people, many from prisons and mental institutions, are pouring into our Country? Just askin'...?".

Alarming footage from UCLA emerged as reporters shared videos on Twitter showing pro-Israel counter-protesters clashing with pro-Palestine demonstrators.

At Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, police donned riot gear to disperse a protest late Tuesday, resulting in approximately 20 arrests for trespassing, with reports of at least one individual being forcibly taken down.

Brown University reached a settlement with protesters on its Rhode Island campus this Tuesday, with demonstrators agreeing to dismantle their encampment in return for a commitment from the administration to hold a vote on divesting from Israel in October.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .