Columbia University to Pay $200M Fine in Deal With Trump Administration Over Harassment Allegations

Columbia University has reached a settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to resolve allegations that it failed to adequately address harassment of Jewish students on its New York City campus. The Ivy League school confirmed on Wednesday that it will pay a $200 million fine over three years as part of the agreement.

Under the deal, federal grants worth billions of dollars that had been suspended or canceled will be reinstated. These grants were halted in March 2025, when the Trump administration accused Columbia of allowing antisemitic harassment to persist during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The settlement ensures Columbia’s continued access to current and future federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Education has not commented on the agreement. The announcement comes just one day after Columbia disciplined dozens of students for their involvement in recent campus protests linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration terminated approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts for Columbia, citing the alleged harassment incidents. The resolution of the dispute is expected to ease tensions between the federal government and the university, restoring crucial research funding at one of the nation’s leading academic institutions.