US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the US government had reached a deal with Harvard University after months of negotiations. As part of the agreement, the Ivy League institution will pay $500 million.
“They’ll be paying about $500 million and they’ll be operating trade schools. They’re going to be teaching people how to do AI and lots of other things, engines, lots of things,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
During the briefing, Trump told Education Secretary Linda McMahon, “All you have to do is paper it,” without elaborating further on the specifics of the deal.
Background: Antisemitism and University Scrutiny
The standoff began when Trump accused Harvard and other universities of allowing displays of antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests. The administration had been reviewing federal funding to the institution for months.
Rights advocates have raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and academic freedom amid the Trump administration’s probes into universities.
The conflict also expanded to include allegations of political bias, scrutiny of ties to China, and opposition to diversity efforts, according to Bloomberg.
Other Universities Reach Similar Deals
Harvard is not the only institution to settle with the US government. Three other top American universities have also reached agreements, including Columbia University, which in July agreed to pay $220 million to restore federal research funding.
The deal marks a significant resolution to a months-long standoff, highlighting the Trump administration’s focus on university accountability and financial compliance.
