Donald Trump seeks $1billion in damages from Harvard for 'antisemitism'

Without disclosing details, Mr Trump said his administration is now seeking $1billion in damages, and "wants nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University".

The US President has targeted several higher education institutions, including Harvard, since returning to office in January 2025, and he is now accusing the university of mishandling antisemitism allegations and allowing alleged civil rights violations.

He claims the campus is dominated by “radical left” ideologies - a charge academics and free speech experts have denounced as a threat to academic freedom.

Mr Trump has criticised the institution’s approaches to diversity and trans rights, and claimed they have allowed antisemitism to run rife on campus during pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza.

Other Ivy League schools, including Columbia and Brown University, have agreed deals with the White House and accepted certain demands.

Reports indicate Mr Trump had allegedly dropped a previous demand for $200million against Harvard as part of a settlement over allegations the school failed to effectively address antisemitism on the campus.

According to reports, both Harvard and Trump officials had recently indicated the administration no longer expected the payment.

Previously, the Trump administration has also threatened to withhold $9billion in federal research funding in an attempt to rectify ongoing concerns.

The higher education institution was told to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, requiring reporting of international students who violate campus rules.

The administration also previously tried to block the university from enrolling international students.

In response, Harvard sued the administration in April last year, accusing it of trying to “gain control of academic decision-making”, holding the stance that issues could be resolved internally.

At the time, Mr Garber vowed "the university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights".

Mr Garber also pushed back on the President's antisemitism charges, saying in a statement last April: “As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism.

“To address it effectively requires understanding, intention, and vigilance. Harvard takes that work seriously.

“We will continue to fight hate with the urgency it demands as we fully comply with our obligations under the law. That is not only our legal responsibility. It is our moral imperative.”

In September, a federal judge ruled that the President had unlawfully canceled $2.2 billion in research grants, barring the administration from cutting Harvard’s research funding.

Mr Trump then said the administration had reached a deal requiring the university to pay $500 million to settle the dispute with the federal government, and last December appealed the judge’s September ruling.

GB News has contacted Harvard University for comment.