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The Trump administration is pressing Harvard University to pay a significantly higher financial penalty than Columbia University in order to resolve multiple federal investigations into antisemitism on its campus, according to two individuals familiar with the negotiations.
The proposed fine, which could reach as high as $500 million, would mark one of the largest settlements ever between the federal government and an academic institution. Harvard is currently facing both public scrutiny and legal action over its handling of antisemitism allegations and is seeking to restore access to billions in frozen federal research grants.
The White House and Education Department are leveraging their recent $200 million settlement with Columbia University as a “template” for enforcement moving forward. That deal—unprecedented in scope—restored more than $400 million in federal research funds to Columbia and resolved several investigations into alleged civil rights violations amid a wave of Israel-Hamas protests.
Columbia Deal Sets New Precedent
“Columbia handled it better,” President Donald Trump remarked last week during a press briefing. “Harvard wants to settle, but they’re still fighting us in court. That’s not how you get things done.”
The $200 million Columbia settlement was announced last week, following accusations that the university failed to protect Jewish students and staff from harassment and discrimination. Though prior administrations avoided financial penalties in similar cases, Trump officials are now making fines a central feature of civil rights enforcement on campuses.
Last year, the Education Department fined Liberty University $14 million under the Clery Act for failing to report campus crimes—then the highest-ever federal fine against a college. That record may soon be dwarfed if Harvard agrees to a deal.
Legal Pressure Mounts on Harvard
Harvard has so far resisted settlement, filing legal motions to reverse the suspension of more than $2 billion in federal research grants. Despite this, the university has reportedly signaled a willingness to pay a substantial amount—potentially up to $500 million—to end the ongoing probes.
A Harvard spokesperson declined to comment on the reported negotiations.
The Trump administration’s move marks a broader shift in how it’s responding to campus antisemitism, especially in the wake of student demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war. Dozens of schools, including Cornell and Northwestern, are under investigation and face similar sanctions. Cornell’s research grants totaling more than $1 billion have been frozen, while Northwestern faces a $790 million funding freeze.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the Columbia agreement would serve as a “roadmap” for other universities:
“It will ripple across the higher education sector and change the course of campus culture for years to come,” McMahon stated in a press release.
Political and Cultural Impact
The Trump administration’s aggressive posture on antisemitism and DEI-related investigations signals a dramatic departure from previous enforcement practices. In most cases, colleges under scrutiny reached voluntary compliance agreements with the government without financial penalties.
Some critics say the administration is politicizing campus oversight. Others argue that financial penalties are necessary to force universities to take discrimination seriously.
“This is about ensuring accountability,” said a senior White House official speaking on background. “For too long, elite institutions like Harvard believed they were untouchable.”
The settlement discussions come at a time when Trump is doubling down on higher education reform as part of his 2026 platform, targeting what he calls “ideological rot” on college campuses.
What’s Next?
While no final deal has been reached, legal analysts say pressure is mounting on Harvard to settle quickly—especially if it wants to regain access to critical federal research funding that supports thousands of academic jobs and projects.
“This is not just about a financial penalty,” said former Education Department attorney Lisa Brown. “It’s about reputational damage, donor confidence, and academic continuity.”
With President Trump framing the Columbia deal as a benchmark, all eyes are now on Harvard’s next move—and whether it will set a new record in the government’s ongoing campus accountability campaign.
