Trump seeks $1 billion from Harvard as two sides remain far from deal

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Reuters

Trump seeks $1 billion from Harvard as two sides remain far from deal

By Rishabh Jaiswal, Shivani Tanna and Kanishka Singh
February 2, 2026 11:30 PM EST Updated 1 hour ago


flag hangs on campus at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., September 4, 2025. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Monday his administration is pursuing $1 billion from Harvard to settle federal probes into the university over school policies, with the two sides yet to reach a final deal despite months of talks.

The Trump administration has been threatening to withhold federal funds from Harvard and several other universities over issues including pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza, campus diversity and transgender policies. ... Trump has said Harvard and other universities allowed displays of antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests.

"We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, without specifying how he arrived at that figure or what damages exactly he was referring to.

Trump's post came in response to a New York Times report, citing sources, saying the Trump administration has dropped its demand for cash from Harvard in ongoing talks to strike a deal. Trump dismissed the report.

{snip}

Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Stephen Coates and Susan Fenton

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-seeks-1-billion-harvard-university-damages-2026-02-03/

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There are two stories about Harvard in LBN thus morning. I think that what's going to happen is that the NYT will revise the title of its story, and that I'll combine the threads here.

[Chasstev365]

1. Good God Harvard: Just say see you in court!

[samnsara]

2. hes marking his territory...

..i wouldn't be surprised if he urinates on the building

[AverageOldGuy]

3. Well . . .

.. . . he has already pissed all over the White House and is planning to do the same to the Kennedy Center.

[Scrivener7]

4. Harvard has billions in endowments. They can forego whatever the asshole is trying to withhold from them.

My graduate school alma mater gave him 221 million, and I'm ashamed of them. They, too, had plenty in endowments to withstand the 200 million they netted from the deal.

I hope Harvard holds out.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. Trump to Harvard: 2 billion $

Reposted by Kevin M. Kruse
https://bsky.app/profile/kevinmkruse.bsky.social

David M. Perry
‪@lollardfish.bsky.social‬

Trump to Harvard: 2 billion $
NYT: Harvard to pay 2B$
Harvard: no
Trump: 1B
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations intensify
Trump: 200 million
NYT: Harvard-Trump reach deal
Harvard: no
Trump: 0$
Harvard: ok
NYT: Harvard not paying! Trump loses.
Trump: How about 1B$
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations resume!
9:21 AM · Feb 3, 2026

Trump to Harvard: 2 billion $
NYT: Harvard to pay 2B$
Harvard: no
Trump: 1B
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations intensify
Trump: 200 million
NYT: Harvard-Trump reach deal
Harvard: no
Trump: 0$
Harvard: ok
NYT: Harvard not paying! Trump loses.
Trump: How about 1B$
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations resume!

— David M. Perry (@lollardfish.bsky.social) 2026-02-03T14:21:46.661Z

[Bayard]

6. $1B fine because Harvard allows free speech per the First Amendment

Another trump mafia shakedown.