Harvard University is reportedly on the verge of a staggering $500 million settlement with the Trump administration — a deal that could end a bitter standoff, restore billions in frozen research funds, and close federal investigations into the Ivy League giant.
In a development that could reshape the landscape of higher education accountability, Harvard University is said to be closing in on a jaw-dropping $500 million settlement with the Trump administration, according to sources cited by The Associated Press. The agreement, still under negotiation but reportedly in its final stages, aims to restore Harvard’s access to more than $2 billion in frozen federal research funding and bring an end to multiple federal investigations.
While Harvard has refused public comment, The New York Times earlier revealed the university’s willingness to pay the unprecedented sum to break the deadlock. The figure, insiders say, has already been agreed upon — with only the fine print left to finalize.
President Donald Trump hinted at the deal’s likelihood, telling reporters:
“Well, it’s a lot of money. We’re negotiating with Harvard now. They would like to settle, so we’ll see what happens.”
The clash between Harvard and the White House escalated after the administration accused the university of failing to address rising antisemitism on campus. In response, Trump froze billions in federal research grants, pushed to strip the school of its tax-exempt status, and greenlit Department of Homeland Security subpoenas targeting alleged foreign student misconduct.
Harvard fired back with two lawsuits, accusing the administration of “unlawful retaliation” and warning that government overreach threatened academic independence.
If finalized, the $500 million payout will mark the largest settlement ever in the administration’s crackdown on elite universities. For comparison, Columbia University settled for $200 million, while Brown University agreed to $50 million.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Harvard bends under political pressure — or cements its place in history with a half-billion-dollar deal that will be talked about for decades.In a development that could reshape the landscape of higher education accountability, Harvard University is said to be closing in on a jaw-dropping $500 million settlement with the Trump administration, according to sources cited by The Associated Press. The agreement, still under negotiation but reportedly in its final stages, aims to restore Harvard’s access to more than $2 billion in frozen federal research funding and bring an end to multiple federal investigations.
While Harvard has refused public comment, The New York Times earlier revealed the university’s willingness to pay the unprecedented sum to break the deadlock. The figure, insiders say, has already been agreed upon — with only the fine print left to finalize.
President Donald Trump hinted at the deal’s likelihood, telling reporters:
“Well, it’s a lot of money. We’re negotiating with Harvard now. They would like to settle, so we’ll see what happens.”
The clash between Harvard and the White House escalated after the administration accused the university of failing to address rising antisemitism on campus. In response, Trump froze billions in federal research grants, pushed to strip the school of its tax-exempt status, and greenlit Department of Homeland Security subpoenas targeting alleged foreign student misconduct.
Harvard fired back with two lawsuits, accusing the administration of “unlawful retaliation” and warning that government overreach threatened academic independence.
If finalized, the $500 million payout will mark the largest settlement ever in the administration’s crackdown on elite universities. For comparison, Columbia University settled for $200 million, while Brown University agreed to $50 million.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Harvard bends under political pressure — or cements its place in history with a half-billion-dollar deal that will be talked about for decades.
