Trump: want to thank and commend Columbia for agreement

Trump: want to thank and commend Columbia for agreement

In a significant development, Columbia University and the Trump administration have reached a landmark agreement, resolving a months-long dispute over federal funding cuts. The agreement, announced on Wednesday, involves Columbia paying the United States $200 million to settle claims related to discriminatory practices, an additional $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and includes external oversight [1].

The White House characterized the agreement as a historic settlement to address violations of federal civil rights laws and restore fairness, merit, and safety in higher education [1]. Columbia University’s acting president, Claire Shipman, stated that the settlement restores the vast majority of the $400 million in federal research funding paused by the administration and preserves the school’s partnership with the federal government [1].

The agreement marks the end of a period of federal scrutiny and financial uncertainty for Columbia, which had been the first university targeted in the administration’s push to compel universities to adopt its agenda on issues including antisemitism and diversity initiatives [1]. The settlement comes after months of tense negotiations, during which Columbia implemented several changes, including clarifying rules for campus demonstrations and appointing a senior vice provost to review Middle East programs [1].

The Trump administration’s antisemitism task force praised Columbia’s response to campus protests, but funding was not restored. In June, Columbia’s acting president emphasized the need to restore their research partnership with the federal government and maintain their autonomy [1]. The agreement safeguards Columbia’s independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration [1].

The settlement is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to change the nation’s higher education system, including university hiring practices, admissions, and penalties for antisemitism. The administration has frozen billions of dollars in federal research funding to several high-profile schools, including more than $2 billion at Harvard, which has fought back with two lawsuits [1].

The settlement comes as Trump and his allies have won significant concessions from powerful institutions, including media companies, social media titans, and prominent law firms. Since winning a second term, Trump and his administration have struck deals or reached settlements with these entities [1].

The agreement is likely to put pressure on other schools that have crossed the White House over their tolerance for extreme Jew-hatred on campus since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas against Israel [2]. The settlement is the largest public settlement of its kind in nearly 20 years and the highest for any victim who has lodged a Title VI complaint [2].

References:
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/07/23/trump-columbia-university-agreement-federal-funding/
[2] https://nypost.com/2025/07/23/us-news/columbia-university-to-pay-out-more-than-220m-after-violating-jewish-students-civil-rights-in-massive-win-for-trump-admin/