US President Donald Trump has demanded that Harvard University pay a $500 million settlement to regain its federal funding, alleging misconduct by the prestigious Ivy League institution.
“We want nothing less than $500 million from Harvard. Don’t negotiate, Linda,” Trump instructed Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, August 26.
He reinforced his stance shortly after, stating, “They’ve been very bad. Don’t negotiate.”
This development follows heightened friction between the White House and top-tier academic institutions. Harvard is currently engaged in a legal dispute with the administration over claims of antisemitism on its campus, a conflict that has grown more intense since the Israel-Hamas war sparked heated debates over academic freedom and political expression.
Harvard stands alone as the only university to directly confront the federal government in court, positioning it at the forefront of a wider struggle over higher education funding and oversight.
Within the Trump administration, officials reportedly see targeting elite universities as a strategy that appeals to a political base frustrated by what they perceive as liberal dominance in academia.
A federal judge is anticipated to deliver a ruling on Harvard’s funding case in the near future. The university requested an expedited decision from US District Judge Allison Burroughs before September 3 — the deadline it claims is critical for submitting essential grant paperwork to prevent disruptions to its research programs.
The administration has already reached settlements with Columbia and Brown Universities, making Harvard the most prominent holdout in this unprecedented confrontation.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
