On July 28, 2025, The New York Times reported that Harvard University may pay up to $500 million to settle a dispute with the Trump administration.
The $500 million settlement amount doubles what Columbia University agreed to pay to resolve similar federal probes. Sources indicate that ongoing negotiations are underway, with Harvard opposing the appointment of an outside monitor to oversee the deal, viewing it as a non-negotiable boundary. Harvard is also legally challenging the government to restore frozen federal funding, citing violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race in federally funded programs.
The probe into Harvard focuses on allegations that the Harvard Law Review fast-tracked an article by a racial minority member, potentially breaching civil rights laws.
Harvard in talks with Trump admin to pay up to $500M over campus antisemitism https://t.co/d3iuopOAy5 pic.twitter.com/mn55jiQuVA
— New York Post (@nypost) July 28, 2025Read: Columbia University Pays $200M to Restore Federal Funding
The Trump administration has launched an investigation into Duke University and the Duke Law Journal, alleging that the selection process for editors is biased against certain racial groups. The U.S. Department of Education claims Duke’s policies favour minority candidates, violating Title VI. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent a letter urging Duke to review its hiring, admissions, and scholarship practices. They proposed a panel with authority from Duke’s Board of Trustees to resolve the issue swiftly. Duke has not yet commented publicly.
Read: White House Seeks Fines from Harvard, Other Ivy Universities After Columbia Deal
Broader Context of Federal Actions
The Trump administration has targeted universities with threats of funding cuts over issues like climate initiatives, transgender policies, pro-Palestinian protests, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Critics, including rights advocates, argue these actions threaten free speech and academic freedom. Trump has claimed, without evidence, that white people and men face discrimination due to DEI, a claim dismissed by rights groups who say DEI addresses historic inequities for marginalised communities.
Elsewhere, Brown University secured a $500 million loan to offset federal cuts to research and financial aid, following a reported $510 million grant block by the Trump administration in April 2025.
