U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Harvard University, threatening to cut an additional $1 billion in federal research funding, intensifying his administration’s crackdown on elite universities over their handling of pro-Palestinian protests and alleged antisemitism.
The move follows a series of escalating actions by the Trump administration targeting top academic institutions, including Harvard and Columbia, over what it describes as a failure to curb antisemitic sentiments on campuses. These institutions have been at the center of nationwide student protests condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Last week, Harvard pushed back against what it called undue political interference, rejecting federal demands for control over its curriculum, faculty, and student affairs. In response, the administration announced a freeze on $2.3 billion in federal funding and raised the possibility of revoking the university’s tax-exempt status.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the latest $1 billion threat emerged after administration officials believed their April 11 list of demands to Harvard was a private negotiation starting point. The Journal reported that the administration had initially considered treating Harvard more leniently than Columbia, but shifted its stance following Harvard’s firm rejection.
Neither the White House nor Harvard has issued a formal comment on the matter as of press time.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has made university governance a key issue, accusing elite institutions of enabling antisemitism under the guise of free speech. Critics of the administration’s approach, including some Jewish advocacy groups, argue that peaceful protests against Israel’s military strategy are being unfairly labeled as antisemitic.
The confrontation between the federal government and America’s top universities marks a dramatic clash over academic freedom, student activism, and political influence—one that may have far-reaching implications for higher education funding and governance in the U.S.
