“We won’t accept anything under $500 million from Harvard. Don’t negotiate with them—they’ve done very poorly,” Trump told Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a Cabinet meeting on August 26, marking the first time he publicly mentioned a specific figure in the months-long dispute with the nation’s oldest university.
His comments came amid reports that the White House and Harvard were approaching a potential settlement to end a confrontation over allegations that the university failed to adequately prevent anti-Semitic incidents related to pro-Palestine protests.
Harvard has not responded to Trump’s latest remarks. The university is the only one suing the White House in federal court, claiming that the administration cut $2.6 billion in research funding in retaliation for resisting interference in its academic programs, governance, and admissions. Harvard maintains that academic freedom is non-negotiable, while the White House asserts it has the authority to revoke grants if recipients violate presidential directives, citing an executive order on anti-Semitism.
U.S. officials have also increased pressure by reviewing federally funded research patents held by Harvard and warning that ownership could be transferred if the university does not comply. Earlier this month, sources told the AP that a settlement could involve Harvard paying $500 million to regain federal research funds.
However, Harvard President Alan Garber later denied the reports, reaffirming the university’s commitment to its lawsuits. Garber told faculty that several U.S. media outlets had published “inaccurate” stories, suggesting the leaks originated from the White House.
In recent months, some U.S. universities have settled with the administration to avoid funding cuts. Columbia University agreed to pay $221 million and implement independent oversight, while Brown University contributed $50 million to workforce development programs in Rhode Island.
These settlements have drawn criticism from scholars as compromising academic freedom. The Trump administration is reportedly targeting the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with demands of up to $1 billion, prompting university leaders to warn that such pressure could “devastate” the public institution.