Cambridge, United States. President Donald Trump said late on Monday his administration is pursuing $1 billion from Harvard to settle federal probes into the university over school policies, with the two sides yet to reach a final deal despite months of talks.
Funding threats and allegations
The Trump administration has been threatening to withhold federal funds from Harvard and several other universities over issues including pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, campus diversity and transgender policies. Trump has said Harvard and other universities allowed displays of antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests.
Trump statement and disputed report
“We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, without specifying how he arrived at that figure or what damages exactly he was referring to.
Trump’s post came in response to a New York Times report, citing sources, saying the Trump administration has dropped its demand for cash from Harvard in ongoing talks to strike a deal. Trump dismissed the report.
Talks and previous figure
Trump officials and Harvard have engaged in months of talks. Trump said in September a deal was close and would involve a $500 million payment by Harvard.
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Legal action and broader reaction
The government has settled its probes with some universities. Harvard sued the Trump administration last year and a judge later ruled the government had unlawfully terminated some grants for the university.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. Rights advocates have also raised free speech and academic freedom concerns over Trump’s probes.
What do you think the outcome of the talks between the Trump administration and Harvard will be?
