A renewed battle with Harvard University has led to a stunning demand from former President Trump: a staggering $1 billion in “damages.” The escalating conflict, publicly aired on social media, marks a significant escalation in a dispute that has been brewing for months.
The latest volley began with a forceful critique of a news report detailing a previous scaling back of demands. Trump alleges the New York Times misrepresented his administration’s efforts to hold Harvard accountable, claiming the university has been actively disseminating “nonsense” to the publication.
At the heart of the dispute lies Trump’s accusation that Harvard has long engaged in “badly” behaving, specifically regarding alleged failures to address antisemitism on campus following the October 2023 attacks in Israel. He contends that a previously proposed job training program was merely a tactic to avoid a far larger settlement – one he believes should exceed $500 million.
Trump’s grievances extend beyond financial settlements, suggesting the situation warrants criminal investigation rather than a civil case. He insists Harvard must face “consequences” for what he describes as “serious and heinous illegalities.”
This isn’t a sudden feud. Since the start of his second term, Trump has threatened to withhold federal research funding and challenge Harvard’s tax-exempt status. The conflict has ignited a national conversation about academic freedom, ideological diversity, and the government’s role in supporting higher education.
While other universities, like Columbia and Brown, opted for settlements, Harvard chose to fight back, filing two lawsuits against the federal government. Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, asserted that the administration’s demands were not aimed at addressing antisemitism, but rather at exerting control.
The former President now states he seeks “One Billion Dollars in damages” and a complete severance of ties with the university, though the legal basis for such a demand remains unclear. This declaration represents a dramatic increase from previous requests.
Reports surfaced that the administration had previously lowered its demands to $200 million, influenced by declining approval ratings and public outcry over immigration policies and federal agent-involved shootings. Trump vehemently denies these reports, labeling the New York Times “corrupt, unprincipled, and pathetic.”
Harvard has previously found success in challenging the Trump administration in court. A federal judge ruled last September that the government had improperly halted research funding, characterizing the move as an “ideologically-motivated assault” disguised as a concern for antisemitism. That ruling, though appealed, led to the restoration of the frozen funds.
Amidst this legal and political turmoil, Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, has agreed to remain in his position indefinitely, providing a degree of stability as the university navigates this unprecedented challenge. The future of the relationship between Harvard and the federal government remains deeply uncertain.
