Trump Drops Demand for Cash From Harvard After Stiff Resistance [View all]

[Prairie Gates]

Source: The New York Times

President Trump has backtracked on a major point in negotiations with Harvard, dropping his administration’s demand for a $200 million payment to the government in hopes of finally resolving the administration’s conflicts with the university, according to four people briefed on the matter.

Harvard has been the top target in Mr. Trump’s sweeping campaign to exert more control over higher education. Hard-liners in his administration had wanted Harvard to write a check to the U.S. Treasury as part of a deal to address claims that university officials mishandled antisemitism, The New York Times previously reported. But Harvard, wary of backlash from liberal students and faculty, has rejected the idea.

Trump administration officials have indicated in recent days that the president no longer expects such a payment, according to the Harvard and Trump officials briefed on the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/us/politics/trump-harvard-payment.html

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Honestly, how can anybody on the Columbia University Board keep their position? All they had to do was say No and give $10 million to the lawyers instead of paying Trump the $200 million. These people were not looking out for the long-term interest of the university. They have failed in their fundamental role.