Harvard sued the Trump administration last year for freezing its federal grant money.

President Donald Trump is demanding a $1 billion payment from Harvard University to end his prolonged standoff with the Ivy League campus, doubling the amount he sought previously as both sides appear to move further from reaching a deal.

The Ivy League school rode into 2026 on the back of significant court victories.

Each deal between colleges and the administration is unique, but they have common goals: altering the culture at powerful institutions and making their policies more aligned with President Trump's.

Just hours before the latest demand, The New York Times reported he had backed off calling for a cash settlement.

In the latest example of his mercurial negotiating style, President Trump went from dropping his ask for a $200 million fine to demanding $1 billion from the university.

Trump seeks $1 billion from Harvard, claiming funding cuts and alleged campus antisemitism spark unprecedented legal dispute.