$500 million settlement may be reached between Trump admin, Harvard: Report

A new report claims that Harvard University may be preparing to pay President Donald Trump’s administration $500 million in a settlement regarding civil rights violations. 

According to Reuters, the Trump administration has been engaged in a major legal battle with Harvard after the president froze billions of dollars in funding for the university due to allegations of antisemitism and the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and programs.

On Wednesday, the president appeared open to the possibility of settling the legal battle with Harvard University.

Asked if his administration would consider the reported $500 million settlement, Trump told reporters, “Well, it’s a lot of money.” We’re negotiating with Harvard now,” Trump added. “They would like to settle, so we’ll see what happens.”

Trump’s comments come after The New York Times reported on Monday that Harvard University appeared to be open to a $500 million settlement with the Trump administration. The outlet noted that the Trump administration is demanding that Harvard University pay over double the $220 million fine that Columbia University agreed to pay the Trump administration last week in a similar legal dispute. 

According to The New York Times, while Harvard University is reportedly prepared to agree to a $500 million settlement, the university reportedly has hesitations regarding direct payment to the federal government. Additionally, The Post Millennial reported that the Trump administration and Harvard University have not released anything publicly regarding the potential settlement or whether the settlement would include an admission of wrongdoing on behalf of Harvard University.

According to The Post Millennial, the legal dispute between the Trump administration and Harvard University is part of the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on American universities that engage in antisemitism and promote DEI programs and policies.

In a Monday statement obtained by The Post Millennial, Harris W. Fields, a White House spokesperson, addressed the issue of American universities promoting antisemitism and DEI policies.

“Don’t allow antisemitism and DEI to run your campus, don’t break the law, and protect the civil liberties of all students,” Fields said. The White House spokesperson added, “We’re confident that Harvard will eventually come around and support the president’s vision.”