Heads up, fam! U.S. President Donald Trump says he's about to seal a deal with Harvard University: think $500 million in payments plus a plan to run new trade schools. 🎓💰
After months of back-and-forth over pro-Palestinian protests, campus diversity and transgender policies, the administration is flexing its muscle—threatening to hold back federal funds unless top universities play ball.
"We are in the process of getting very close," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. He credited Education Secretary Linda McMahon for ironing out the final details and teased that the trade schools will teach AI, engine tech and more "– lots of things."
Sounds exciting for tech-savvy grads from Bangalore to Bangkok, right? 🔥 But remember, it's not just about AI bootcamps—it's also a political chess game that's got everyone talking about student rights and academic freedom.
Harvard, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, hasn't commented yet. But rights advocates are already sounding alarms about free speech, privacy and academic freedom issues connected to these probes.
On one side, the administration accuses Harvard and peers of letting antisemitic displays run wild during pro-Palestinian rallies. On the other, protesters (including some Jewish groups) argue that criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza isn't the same as hating Jews.
Harvard's own task forces flagged reports that both Jewish and Muslim students faced bigotry and abuse on campus after the October 2023 Hamas attack. Now, all eyes are on whether this high-stakes deal will reshape how universities handle politics, tech training and student rights.
Stay tuned as this unfolds—could a half-billion-dollar handshake change the future of higher ed and AI skills training? 🔍✨
Reference(s):
Trump says Harvard deal is close, university will pay $500 million
cgtn.com
