Harvard Faces $1 Billion Demand from Trump in Escalating Dispute

US President Donald Trump has declared that his administration will pursue $1 billion in damages from Harvard University. The claim follows accusations that the institution, along with other colleges, failed to adequately protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian demonstrations and promoted what Trump officials describe as “woke” ideologies.

Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University.” The announcement comes after months of negotiations in which Harvard reportedly secured some concessions from the administration.

Observers have described the move as a targeted pressure campaign against liberal universities. Earlier, Columbia University agreed to a $200 million settlement and pledged to remove race-based considerations from admissions and hiring practices. Trump had previously suggested a $500 million deal with Harvard, which included proposals to establish trade schools, but dismissed the plan as insufficient and subsequently withdrew the settlement offer.

No specific legal violations by Harvard have been publicly identified, though Trump officials claim the university’s actions warrant substantial compensation.