Upset at reports that he'd given up, Trump now wants $1B from Harvard

"Amid the Trump administration's attack on universities, Harvard has emerged as a particular target. Early on, the administration put $2.2 billion in research money on hold and shortly thereafter blocked all future funding while demanding intrusive control over Harvard's hiring and admissions. Unlike many of its peer institutions, Harvard fought back, filing and ultimately winning a lawsuit that restored the cut funds."

"Despite Harvard's victory, the Trump administration continued to push for some sort of formal agreement that would settle the administration's accusations that Harvard created an environment that allowed antisemitism to flourish. In fact, it had become a running joke among some journalists that The New York Times had devoted a monthly column to reporting that a settlement between the two parties was near."

"Given Trump's tendency to avoid any appearance of concession, his hostile response to the reports was unsurprising. Several hours after the Times published its article, he took to Truth Social to say the government would now seek $1 billion from Harvard. While he separately called the Times' coverage "completely wrong" and demanded a correction, Trump also favorably quoted the part of the Times article that noted the government had continued to threaten Harvard's funding despite having lost in court."

Harvard became a specific target of the Trump administration, which initially put $2.2 billion in research money on hold and then blocked all future funding while demanding intrusive control over hiring and admissions. Harvard filed and won a lawsuit that restored the cut funds. The administration continued to press for a formal agreement addressing accusations that Harvard allowed antisemitism to flourish and entertained settlement reports in media coverage. Negotiations reportedly dropped monetary demands, prompting President Trump to demand $1 billion on Truth Social while calling coverage "completely wrong." The administration's continued threats strengthen Harvard's argument of arbitrary, capricious action if relitigated.

Read at Ars Technica