President Donald Trump is intensifying his legal and political battle with Harvard University, announcing Monday night that he is now demanding $1 billion in damages for what he described as “strongly antisemitic” conduct at the Ivy League school.
“Harvard has been, for a long time, behaving very badly,” Trump declared, accusing the university of engaging in conduct that “should be Criminal, not Civil.” The move marks a major escalation from the previous $500 million settlement demand that had been reported by The New York Times — a report the president quickly dismissed as “completely wrong.”
“The Failing New York Times story was completely wrong concerning Harvard University,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I hereby demand that the morons that run (into the ground!) the Times change their story, immediately.”
Trump claimed that Harvard attempted to resolve the matter by offering $500 million toward a workforce training initiative. However, he said the offer was rejected by his administration, calling the proposal “wholly inadequate” and “merely a way of Harvard getting out of a large cash settlement.”
The long-running dispute between Trump and Harvard began escalating in 2024 when the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal grants over DEI programs and allegations of institutional antisemitism. A federal judge later blocked the freeze, and most funds were eventually restored. However, the administration continued to push other sanctions, including a failed effort to block foreign students from attending Harvard.
Tensions grew further following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel. Harvard faced fierce backlash for allegedly enabling antisemitic activism on campus. The controversy culminated in the resignation of former Harvard President Claudine Gay in late 2023, after her widely criticized testimony before Congress.
On Monday, Trump singled out Gay’s successor, President Alan Garber, slamming him for failing to address the issue adequately. “Dr. Alan Garber, the President of Harvard, has done a terrible job of rectifying a very bad situation for his institution and, more importantly, America, itself,” Trump said. “We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University.”
The Trump administration reportedly turned down Harvard’s proposed job training plan during settlement negotiations, with Trump reiterating that the program was a “convoluted concept” designed to avoid accountability. “It was turned down in that it was wholly inadequate and would not have been, in our opinion, successful,” he added.
While Harvard leaders have reportedly expressed concerns about direct payments to the federal government potentially undermining university independence, The New York Times noted that the school’s reliance on federal funding may force its hand.
In April 2025, Trump praised Harvard during earlier stages of the negotiations, suggesting that a “mindbogglingly historic” deal could be reached. But with talks having stalled, and no resolution in sight, the president is now demanding double the previously floated amount.
“Harvard’s leadership has failed to take responsibility, failed to change course, and failed to stand up for American values,” one senior Trump administration official said privately Monday night. “President Trump is not going to let this go unanswered.”
The post Trump Escalates Fight With Harvard, Ups Demand To $1 Billion Over ‘Strongly Antisemitic’ Campus appeared first on Real News Now.
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