Trump-Harvard Feud: University May Spend $500 Million to End Discrimination Dispute
The Trump-Harvard feud is intensifying as Harvard University reportedly considers spending up to $500 million to resolve a civil rights dispute with the Trump administration. According to The New York Times, the proposed settlement would more than double the $210 million Columbia University recently paid in a similar case. However, negotiations remain ongoing, particularly over whether Harvard will allow an external monitor—a condition the university sees as a major red line.
Civil Rights Investigation Targets Harvard and Others
This potential settlement comes amid a broader federal crackdown on American universities. The Trump administration is investigating allegations that prestigious institutions like Harvard and Duke University engaged in race-based discrimination, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination in federally funded educational programs.
In April, the Department of Education launched a probe into the Harvard Law Review for allegedly fast-tracking an article submitted by a minority writer, raising questions about editorial bias. The administration subsequently froze federal funds to Harvard, prompting the university to file a legal challenge to have its funding restored.
The feud has also expanded to Duke University, where the Duke Law Journal faces similar scrutiny. The Department of Education is investigating whether the journal prioritizes minority candidates during editorial selection—a practice the administration claims may constitute racial discrimination. A letter signed by Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged Duke to form a high-level panel to address the alleged violations.
Duke has not issued a public response, but rights advocates and civil liberties groups are already voicing concern over what they describe as politically motivated attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Beyond race-related allegations, the Trump administration has threatened universities over policies on climate action, transgender rights, pro-Palestinian protests, and DEI programs. Critics argue these moves infringe on academic freedom and represent a politicized effort to silence progressive voices on campus.
Meanwhile, Brown University recently secured a $500 million loan to cope with federal research and aid cuts, as the government announced it would block $510 million in grants.
As the Trump-Harvard feud unfolds, it highlights deeper tensions between academia and federal oversight—raising critical questions about civil rights, free speech, and the future of university independence in the United States.
