President Donald Trump announced that his administration is on the verge of finalizing what he called a “mind-bogglingly historic” agreement with Harvard University—a deal that could mark a turning point in the federal government’s oversight of elite academic institutions.
Speaking to reporters from the White House, Trump said the negotiations with Harvard had made “incredible progress” after months of public battles over foreign student enrollment, antisemitism on campus, and what he called “ideologically driven diversity mandates.”
“Harvard has acted extremely appropriately,” Trump said. “They’ve come to the table in good faith, and we are very close to a deal that will change the way taxpayer dollars interact with our universities—forever.”
The potential agreement follows a wave of executive actions from the Trump administration, including the suspension of billions in federal funding to schools that failed to protect Jewish students or promote institutional neutrality. Harvard, with a $53 billion endowment and global reputation, has been one of the administration’s most high-profile targets.
While details remain under wraps, insiders say the deal could include new transparency requirements, limits on foreign student enrollment tied to national security reviews, and a restructuring of how public funds are distributed to elite universities. There is also speculation that the agreement could compel Harvard to redirect a portion of its endowment to student aid or research benefiting American citizens.
The conflict between Trump and Harvard began as a clash over campus culture but has since evolved into a broader test of federal authority and higher education accountability. If finalized, the agreement could serve as a model for reforms at other universities nationwide.
“This could be a very big deal,” Trump added. “And not just for Harvard. For the entire American education system.”