Trump Demands $1 Billion from Harvard

The latest in a series of threats made against the Ivy League by the White House.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:47am

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President Donald Trump is demanding that Harvard University pay $1 billion in damages, the latest in a series of threats made against the Ivy League by the White House. Trump made the threats overnight on Truth Social, stating that the situation should be a "Criminal, not Civil, event" and that Harvard will "have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings."

Why it matters

The feud between Harvard and Trump is nothing new, as the federal government and the Cambridge university have been sparring over the past year over allegations of antisemitism, which the government used as a springboard to demand a number of changes at Harvard. This latest demand for $1 billion in damages is the latest escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the prestigious university.

The details

Last year, Trump made several attempts to cut Harvard's federal research grant funding. However, Harvard University says it has started receiving notices that many of these federal grants halted by the Trump administration will be reinstated after a federal judge ruled that the cuts were illegal. The Cambridge institution has been the top target in Trump's sweeping campaign to exert more control over higher education.

  • Trump made the threats overnight on Truth Social on February 3, 2026.
  • Last year, Trump made several attempts to cut Harvard's federal research grant funding.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is now demanding $1 billion in damages from Harvard University.

Harvard University

The prestigious Ivy League institution that has been the top target in Trump's campaign to exert more control over higher education.

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What they’re saying

“This should be a Criminal, not Civil, event, and Harvard will have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings. We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

Harvard's governing board was supposed to meet on Monday to discuss the demand, but the university has not yet commented on the recent developments.

The takeaway

This latest demand for $1 billion in damages is the latest escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the prestigious Harvard University, highlighting the former president's continued efforts to exert more control over higher education.