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Trump Demands $1B in Damages From Harvard
Former president escalates pressure campaign against Ivy League school
Published on Feb. 3, 2026
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Former President Donald Trump is now seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University, escalating his long-running pressure campaign against the Ivy League institution. Trump previously sought $500 million and reforms from Harvard, but now says the university has "been behaving very badly" and that the case will "continue until justice is served."
Why it matters
Trump's demand for massive financial penalties against Harvard is the latest salvo in his broader effort to increase federal control and influence over higher education institutions, which he has accused of being dominated by left-leaning ideology. The move comes after his administration previously froze over $2 billion in research funds for the university.
The details
Trump did not specify what exact damages Harvard had incurred, but his administration had previously sought $500 million from the university as well as reforms. The former president now says Harvard's actions warrant criminal, not civil, proceedings and that the school "will have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings." Harvard has been a frequent target of Trump's criticism of higher education.
- On Monday, February 3, 2026, Trump made the $1 billion damage demand on his Truth Social media platform.
- In October 2025, the Trump administration announced it was nearing a deal with Harvard.
- In December 2025, the administration appealed a September court ruling that it had unlawfully frozen over $2 billion in research funds for Harvard.
The players
Donald Trump
The former president of the United States who is now seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University.
Harvard University
The Ivy League institution that has been a frequent target of criticism and pressure from the Trump administration.
Linda McMahon
The former Education Secretary who stated in October 2025 that the Trump administration was "finishing up the final details" of a plan with Harvard.
What they’re saying
“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)
“Harvard has been, for a long time, behaving very badly!”
— Donald Trump (Truth Social)
“This should be a criminal, not Civil, event and Harvard will have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings. In any event, this case will continue until justice is served.”
— Donald Trump (Truth Social)
What’s next
The judge overseeing the case will need to determine whether Trump's $1 billion damage demand against Harvard has legal merit, and whether the matter should be handled as a criminal or civil proceeding.
The takeaway
Trump's escalating pressure campaign against Harvard is the latest example of his broader efforts to exert more federal control and influence over higher education institutions, which he has accused of liberal bias. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the relationship between the government and universities going forward.
