By Naman Trivedi

Copyright timesnownews

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration has reached a tentative $500 million settlement with Harvard University, potentially ending a bitter months-long feud over campus antisemitism, federal funding, and academic freedom. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the university had agreed to pay the sum and operate new trade schools focused on artificial intelligence, engineering, and other technical fields. “They’ll be paying about $500 million and they’ll be operating trade schools,” Trump told reporters. “They’re going to be teaching people how to do AI and lots of other things—engines, lots of things.” Education Secretary Linda McMahon is reportedly finalizing the paperwork, but Harvard has not confirmed the agreement or commented publicly on the president’s remarks. The dispute began earlier this year when the Trump administration accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism on campus following pro-Palestinian protests related to Israel’s war in Gaza. Trump argued that Jewish and Israeli students faced harassment and used that as grounds to cut off nearly $2.2 billion in federal research funding. Harvard resisted, taking the matter to court. A federal judge ruled in early September that the administration had unlawfully terminated the funding, handing Harvard a significant legal victory. Despite the ruling, Trump continued pressing for financial penalties, stating in recent weeks that any resolution would require at least $500 million from the university. His administration has also taken aim at universities’ diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, climate policies, and alleged ties to China. If finalized, the Harvard deal would be the largest of several such settlements. Columbia University agreed to pay $220 million in July to restore funding, while Brown University settled for $50 million. Critics say the administration is using federal funding to silence dissent and chill free speech on campuses. Advocacy groups argue that equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism risks suppressing legitimate political expression. Meanwhile, Muslim and Arab students say Islamophobia on campuses has gone largely unaddressed. Harvard’s president previously warned that continued funding cuts could cost the university nearly $1 billion annually and force layoffs. Whether this proposed deal restores the relationship, or simply resets the battlefield, remains to be seen. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.