US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will seek $1 billion in damages from Harvard University, escalating an ongoing dispute between the federal government and one of America’s most influential academic institutions.
Trump made the declaration on Monday via his Truth Social account, stating that his administration was no longer interested in maintaining any future relationship with the university.
“We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University,” Trump wrote.
Why Trump is targeting Harvard
Trump’s move is tied to broader accusations from his officials against Harvard and other top US universities. The administration has alleged that these institutions promote what it calls “woke” ideology, while also failing to adequately protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian campus protests.
The administration has reportedly pursued legal complaints and demanded what critics describe as excessive financial penalties, with opponents calling the approach a political pressure campaign aimed at liberal universities.
The latest development comes after a report by the New York Times claimed Harvard had secured some concessions during settlement discussions with the government.
The report said Trump had dropped an earlier demand for Harvard to pay $200 million as part of a settlement, following prolonged negotiations.
However, Trump’s new position appears to harden the administration’s stance even further, with the president now demanding a much larger sum.
Trump also referenced earlier settlement talks from last year, saying negotiations had previously been close to a $500 million settlement.
He claimed Harvard proposed opening trade schools as part of the deal, but argued the plan was rejected for being inadequate.
According to Trump, the trade school proposal was simply an attempt by Harvard to avoid what he described as a much larger cash settlement.
Other Ivy League schools under pressure
Harvard is not the only elite institution facing pressure.
Columbia University reportedly agreed to pay $200 million last summer and pledged to follow rules that prevent race from being considered in admissions or hiring decisions.
The University of Pennsylvania also aligned with Trump administration concerns last year by announcing it would ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
While Trump accused Harvard of “serious and heinous illegalities,” he did not specify which laws the university allegedly violated.
The dispute is expected to further intensify debates in the US over campus activism, free speech, antisemitism allegations, and government influence over university policies.
