President Trump said Tuesday his administration would seek $1 billion from Harvard University over allegations the Ivy League school mishandled claims of antisemitism on campus.
Mr. Trump made the demand while dismissing a New York Times report that said his administration would no longer seek a $200 million cash payment from the university during negotiations.
The president called the report “nonsense” and leaned into possible punishment for Harvard, saying it had been behaving badly.
“We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University,” Mr. Trump posted on social media.
Negotiations have put the prestigious institution in a tight spot. Administrators might have to strike a deal with the Trump administration to settle claims it refused to constrain abusive behavior toward Jewish students.
The president said he rejected Harvard’s offer to establish a $500 million workforce training program, calling it “convoluted” and “wholly inadequate.”
Yet concessions to Mr. Trump might spark a backlash from the liberal student body at Harvard.
The university is one of the oldest and wealthiest in the country, with an endowment or more than $50 billion. On social media, Mr. Trump said Harvard would have no choice but to make a deal if the federal government cut off its research grants.
“This should be a Criminal, not Civil, event, and Harvard will have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social. “In any event, this case will continue until justice is served.”
Mr. Trump also threatened to sue The New York Times over its story. The report was updated to reflect Mr. Trump’s dismissal after he posted them on social media.
More broadly, the Trump administration has investigated colleges across the country over allegations of antisemitism or their embrace of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and entered settlements with some of them.
The Washington Times reached out to Harvard’s media team for comment on Mr. Trump’s demands.
