It's not vengeance. Public institutions get funded by the public as long as the public feels they benefit. Many of these institutions went on a massive PR campaign demonizing the majority demographic. Regardless of whether it's actually true or not they now feel like the institutions are a net loss for them and would prefer the money is spent elsewhere.
> Many of these institutions went on a massive PR campaign demonizing the majority demographic
I'm sorry what? where's the evidence?
the current administration has been saying (in their words) that they're pulling funding from Harvard because they aren't doing enough to stop antisemitism and are pushing for a direct role in governance — they've attempted to freeze billions of dollars in grants for a number of things including medical research
Historically this research has shown massive measurable return on investment, which is why it's funded so well.
