<p>President Donald Trump’s effects on United States (U.S.) universities, especially elite, research-focused universities have received attention not only in the U.S. but in many other nations. The effects are considerable and extend well beyond U.S. borders. Trump’s budget cuts, his evisceration of the U.S. Department of Education, his targeted withdrawal of billions of dollars of federal research grants, and his restrictions of foreign students and faculty have generated near universal alarm. The paper focuses especially, though not exclusively, on implications of Trumpism for the attraction, admission and development of international students. While the sweep of changes encompasses much of the world, our paper focuses especially on U.S.-China relations, vital because of the scientific and economic competition between the two global powers, but also because of the multiple effects of declining numbers of Chinese entering the U.S. as students, faculty and, in many cases, immigrants contributing to U.S. science capacity and innovation. Using a “grounded speculation” approach by combining empirical extrapolation from existing data (the grounding) with reasoned projections of future trajectories (the speculation), we discuss the potential long-term consequences of Trumpism on U.S. science and higher education. Finally, we discuss possibilities for rectifying the intense damage that has occurred with Trumpism.</p>