• Trump seeks $1 billion in damages from Harvard University.
• Accusations include failing to address antisemitism during protests.
• Previous negotiations reportedly involved a $200 million demand.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration would seek $1 billion in damages from Harvard University, intensifying an ongoing conflict with the esteemed institution. Trump's declaration came after a New York Times report suggested that negotiations had collapsed, with Harvard having recently secured concessions from the federal government. "We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University," he wrote on his Truth Social platform, condemning the university for alleged misconduct and attempting to evade a financial settlement, according to Indiatimes, SCMP, and BBC.

Trump's administration has previously accused Harvard and similar institutions of promoting "woke" ideologies while failing to sufficiently safeguard Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests. The President's latest move represents a continuation of this narrative, which critics label as a campaign of pressure against liberal universities. In prior negotiations, the Trump administration had sought a $200 million settlement from Harvard, which was later dismissed amidst the negotiation process, according to SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

In his vivid criticism, Trump described a failed proposal from Harvard that aimed to establish job training programs instead of offering a direct cash settlement. He characterized this proposal as a "convoluted" scheme to avoid accountability for what he termed "serious and heinous illegalities." His comments were made amid a backdrop of previously revoked federal funding and continued scrutiny of Harvard's policies, highlighting a complicated relationship driven by ideological disputes, as mentioned by Indiatimes, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

Legal disagreements between Trump and Harvard have intensified as he has pursued various executive actions aimed at influencing higher education policies, particularly targeting diversity and inclusion initiatives. Previous actions saw other Ivy League schools capitulating to the administration's demands, with Columbia University agreeing to penalties totaling $200 million. The implications of Trump's actions have raised significant concerns about the future of funding for higher education institutions, as detailed by SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.