President Donald Trump said Friday that Harvard is now open to reaching an agreement with the administration following escalating tensions over federal funding and the university’s handling of foreign student policies, according to the New York Post.
A judge blocked the administration’s attempt to restrict Harvard’s ability to host international students, as Trump claimed a deal may soon be made involving demands over protest policies and student data disclosure.
At the center of the dispute is the administration’s decision to block over $3 billion in federal aid to Harvard. Officials cited the school’s refusal to provide lists of international students and to implement new policies related to antisemitic protest activity on campus, according to the administration.
Trump confirmed via a Truth Social post that the university is participating in negotiations. He said Harvard is acting “extremely appropriately” during talks and that a settlement could be reached within the coming week.
“Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their large-scale improprieties that we have been addressing,” Trump wrote. He added that the situation was being handled responsibly by all parties.
Trump also described the potential deal as “mindbogglingly historic” and said it would be highly beneficial for the country. Specific terms of the developing agreement have not been disclosed publicly.
The announcement came just hours after a federal judge issued a ruling halting the administration’s enforcement of a new policy capping foreign student enrollment at 15% at Harvard and other institutions.
The policy faced legal challenges from education advocates who warned it would damage U.S. universities’ ability to attract global talent and fund critical research. The court ruling temporarily preserves institutions’ ability to determine student demographics independently.
This isn’t the first time the administration has tied federal education policy to foreign relations. In April, Trump ordered colleges to report foreign gifts or contracts above $250,000 or risk losing public funding.
The funding freeze is also closely tied to the administration's response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Officials alleged that the demonstrations were antisemitic and demanded that Harvard take corrective action.
Trump has consistently criticized U.S. universities over what he characterizes as inadequate responses to anti-Israel protests. He has advocated for tighter controls on speech and conduct involving international political issues.
In light of the federal freeze, Trump proposed that Harvard compensate for lost funding by tapping into its vast endowment, reported to be over $53 billion. It is unclear if that proposal is part of the current talks.
Harvard has not confirmed any details of its position or acknowledged Trump’s recent remarks. Requests for comment from the university’s media office went unanswered as of Friday.
The standoff has sparked a wider debate on how government funding should be used in shaping university policy, particularly in areas concerning free speech, foreign relations, and education access.
With the administration optimistic about a resolution, attention now turns to whether a formal agreement will be announced. If achieved, it could reshape how the federal government interacts with major academic institutions on controversial policy issues.
