Trump Signals Potential Deal with Harvard Amid Legal Battle Over International Students and Federal Funding

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that his administration is in negotiations with Harvard University to resolve a dispute over federal funding and the university's ability to admit international students. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a “mindbogglingly historic” settlement could be reached within the next week, describing Harvard’s representatives as acting “extremely appropriately” in talks.

The dispute stems from the Trump administration's decision to revoke billions of dollars in grants and block Harvard from enrolling international students. The administration cited concerns that Harvard failed to adequately address antisemitic harassment on campus and alleged broader governance and ideological issues.

Harvard, the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, has responded with two lawsuits. One aims to unfreeze roughly $2.5 billion in federal funding, while the other challenges efforts to bar foreign students from attending. The university argues that the actions amount to unconstitutional retaliation for resisting federal interference in its governance, violating its First Amendment rights.

On Friday, a federal judge in Boston issued an injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security from immediately revoking Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The ruling requires DHS to go through a months-long administrative process before taking such action.

Harvard did not comment directly on Trump’s post but welcomed the court’s decision and reaffirmed its commitment to defending its institutional rights and the rights of its diverse student body. International students currently make up about 25% of Harvard’s enrollment.

Judge Allison Burroughs is also expected to rule soon on whether to halt enforcement of a recent Trump proclamation barring foreign nationals from studying at Harvard.