Donald Trump has announced that his administration is seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University as part of an ongoing dispute regarding allegations of antisemitism on campus. This declaration came in a post on Truth Social late on Monday, where Trump criticized the Ivy League institution for its perceived failure to address antisemitic behavior. He specifically called out Harvard President Alan Garber, stating he has “done a terrible job of rectifying a very bad situation for his institution and, more importantly, America itself.”
The conflict between Trump and Harvard has intensified since he returned to office, with the former president frequently targeting higher education institutions. He accuses Harvard of mishandling antisemitism and enabling civil rights violations within a campus he claims is dominated by “radical left” ideologies. Critics, including academics and free speech advocates, have condemned these allegations as threats to academic freedom.
This latest announcement coincided with a report from the New York Times indicating that Trump had previously dropped a demand for $200 million as part of a potential settlement regarding Harvard’s handling of antisemitism. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that officials from both Harvard and Trump’s administration suggested that the administration no longer expected the payment. In his Truth Social post, Trump accused Harvard of “feeding a lot of ‘nonsense’ to the failing New York Times,” claiming the university has “been, for a long time, behaving very badly.”
Trump’s statement did not provide specific details on the basis for the $1 billion claim, but he expressed a desire to sever ties with Harvard, saying that his administration “want[s] nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University.”
The ongoing tension has led to significant threats from the Trump administration. Previously, officials threatened to withhold $9 billion in federal research funding from Harvard and demanded an end to the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. They also sought to require reporting of international students who violate campus regulations and attempted to block the university from enrolling international students altogether. In response to these actions, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration in April 2022, arguing that it was trying to “gain control of academic decision-making.”
In a statement at that time, Garber emphasized that Harvard would not relinquish its independence or constitutional rights. He addressed Trump’s accusations of antisemitism, stating, “As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism. To address it effectively requires understanding, intention, and vigilance. Harvard takes that work seriously.”
In September 2023, a federal judge ruled that Trump had unlawfully canceled $2.2 billion in research grants, which prevented the administration from cutting Harvard’s research funding. Shortly after, Trump announced a deal requiring the university to pay $500 million to settle the dispute with the federal government. The Trump administration has since appealed the judge’s ruling from September.
As this legal battle continues, the implications for both Harvard and the Trump administration remain significant, with potential impacts on federal funding and academic freedom at stake. The Guardian has reached out to both Harvard and the White House for further comments regarding the latest developments.