Trump Seeks $1bn in Damages From Harvard Amid Escalating Standoff
United States President Donald Trump has announced that his administration is seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University, further escalating a high-profile confrontation between the federal government and the Ivy League institution.
Trump made the declaration on Monday via his Truth Social platform, reacting to a New York Times report which suggested that Harvard had secured certain concessions during ongoing settlement negotiations with the government.
“We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University,” the president wrote.
The statement signals a hardening of the administration’s stance and appears to shut the door on any prospective compromise, despite reports that talks between both sides were previously progressing.
While full details of the damages claim have not yet been formally disclosed, the conflict reportedly stems from broader federal investigations and policy disagreements involving elite universities, including issues related to governance, funding, and compliance with federal regulations.
The New York Times had earlier reported that Harvard believed it had achieved limited concessions from the government as part of settlement discussions, a claim that Trump’s latest comments appear to contradict.
Legal experts say a $1 billion damages claim against a private university would be highly unusual and could trigger a prolonged legal battle, potentially testing the limits of federal authority over academic institutions.
The move is also likely to deepen political divisions, with supporters of the president applauding the action as a stand against elite institutions, while critics warn it could undermine academic independence and due process.
As of the time of filing this report, Harvard University had not issued an official response to Trump’s remarks. It remains unclear whether the university will challenge the damages claim in court or seek to reopen negotiations.
More details are expected to emerge in the coming days as federal authorities outline the legal basis for the proposed damages and Harvard clarifies its position.
