Trump Threatens to Demand $1 Billion from Harvard Amid Escalating Dispute with American Universities

U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to move forward with a demand for Harvard University to pay damages of up to $1 billion, in a move that reflects the escalating dispute between the U.S. administration and one of the oldest universities in the United States.

Trump: No Future Relationship with Harvard

Trump stated in a post on his platform "Truth Social" that his administration is seeking financial compensation, while also confirming the refusal to establish any future relationship with the university, amid ongoing disputes between the two parties over several academic and political issues.

Accusations Against Universities of Promoting Progressive Ideas

The Trump administration accuses Harvard University and several American universities of promoting progressive ideas linked to the anti-discrimination movement, in addition to failing to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
In contrast, critics of the U.S. administration see these actions as an attempt to pressure universities with liberal orientations.

Stalled Settlement Negotiations

Media reports have indicated that negotiations between the Trump administration and Harvard University have seen several ups and downs, as the U.S. president previously backed down from demands for $200 million after prolonged negotiations.
Trump also revealed in previous statements that settlement talks were nearing an agreement worth $500 million, which included proposals to establish vocational training programs, but the U.S. administration deemed these initiatives insufficient.

Serious Violations Allegations Without Clear Legal Specification

Trump indicated that the university attempted, as he described, to evade paying a large financial settlement, asserting that the scale of the violations committed warrants a higher compensation, without clearly specifying the laws he believes Harvard has violated.

Wider Government Pressure on American Universities

This crisis comes as part of a broader campaign led by the U.S. administration to redirect university policies, especially regarding diversity and academic admission issues.
Columbia University had previously agreed to pay $200 million and commit to complying with new rules regarding admission and employment policies, while the University of Pennsylvania made controversial decisions regarding participation in college sports.