🔴 What Is the Issue?
Former US President Donald Trump has escalated his administration’s long-running conflict with Harvard University, demanding $1 billion in damages over allegations that the university failed to properly address antisemitism on campus.
This move comes after earlier reports suggested both sides were close to a settlement.
💰From $200 Million to $1 Billion
According to reports by The New York Times, the administration had initially demanded $200 million from Harvard. However, Trump publicly denied this figure, claiming the amount was actually over $500 million and should be even higher.
On February 3, Trump announced via Truth Social that he was now seeking $1 billion, stating:
“This should be a criminal, not civil, event.”
He also accused Harvard of providing misleading information to the media.
❌ Failed Negotiations
Trump revealed that Harvard proposed a job-training program instead of paying the demanded amount. He rejected this offer, calling it “wholly inadequate”, and confirmed that negotiations had completely broken down.
This indicates that a settlement is now unlikely.
🏛 Harvard’s Response and Legal Position
Harvard has refused to settle, unlike other Ivy League institutions such as:
- University of Pennsylvania
- Columbia University
- Brown University
- Cornell University
The university has also:
- Successfully challenged attempts to block international students
- Won a court ruling that stopped the government from removing $2.2 billion in federal research funding
🌍 Impact on International Students
While the dispute is political and legal, it matters to international students because:
- It highlights government pressure on US universities
- Visa, enrollment, and research funding policies may face future uncertainty
- Harvard has so far remained firm in protecting international student access
Harvard’s Actions AgainstAntisemitism
Harvard President Alan Garber acknowledged rising antisemitism concerns and emphasized the university’s moral responsibility to fight hate. Measures taken include:
- Establishing an antisemitism task force
- Strengthening disciplinary actions
- Expanding support services for Jewish students
- Enhancing campus-wide training programs
📌 Current Status
- No official response from the White House or Harvard following the $1bn demand
- Legal and political tensions remain unresolved
- The case could set a precedent for other US universities
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