In a surprise Oval Office briefing on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration is on the brink of finalizing a deal with Harvard University that would see the Ivy League school pay roughly $500 million. The agreement is set to launch trade schools focused on AI, engine technology and other emerging skills.
"We are in the process of getting very close," Trump told reporters, adding that Education Secretary Linda McMahon is wrapping up the final details. He offered no further specifics on timelines or program structures.
The talks come after months of high-stakes negotiations between the administration and several prestigious universities. Federal funding has been threatened over pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza, campus diversity mandates and transgender policies—key issues that have sparked intense campus debates nationwide.
Advocates for free speech and academic freedom warn that tying federal dollars to policy demands could set a risky precedent. Critics argue that universities should be spaces for open dialogue, with some Jewish and Palestinian student groups saying criticism of Israel shouldn’t be labeled antisemitic.
Harvard, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has not commented on Trump’s announcement. As this story develops, students, educators and entrepreneurs are watching closely—whether to join new AI-focused programs or to defend the traditional pillars of higher education.
For young professionals and digital nomads around the world, Harvard’s pivot toward AI and technical trade schools could signal fresh pathways into cutting-edge careers. Yet thought leaders caution that innovation must go hand in hand with protecting academic freedom and open debate.
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Trump says Harvard deal is close, university will pay $500 million
cgtn.com
