Trump Administration Advances Talks with Cornell for Settlement Over Antisemitism Allegations

Cornell University is in advanced talks with the Trump administration to reinstate hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding, mirroring Columbia University's settlement of $200 million. Cornell is expected to pay a substantial amount, but less than Columbia. Other schools, including Brown and Northwestern, are also close to deals. The White House aims to resolve allegations of campus antisemitism and civil rights violations.

Cornell University is in advanced negotiations with the Trump administration to reinstate hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding, mirroring the recent $220 million settlement agreement reached by Columbia University [1]. While the exact amount Cornell is expected to pay is yet to be finalized, it is anticipated to be substantial but less than the $220 million agreed by Columbia. The White House aims to resolve allegations of campus antisemitism and civil rights violations, as seen in the Columbia case.

The agreement, if finalized, would follow a similar pattern to Columbia's settlement, where the university agreed to overhaul its student disciplinary process, adopt a new definition of antisemitism, and review its Middle East curriculum to ensure it is balanced. Cornell is also expected to make similar changes to its programs and policies to meet the demands laid out by the Trump administration.

Other institutions, including Brown and Northwestern, are also in close talks with the administration to resolve funding issues. The Trump administration has used federal research funding as its primary leverage to reshape higher education, with more than $2 billion frozen at various universities, including Cornell, Northwestern, Brown, and Princeton [1].

The pressure on Cornell began with a series of funding cuts and escalated with federal investigations into alleged civil rights violations and the presence of undocumented students on campus. The university has been under scrutiny for its handling of pro-Palestinian campus protests and the alleged harassment of Jewish students.

The settlement with Cornell, if successful, would mark a significant step forward in the Trump administration's campaign to hold institutions accountable for antisemitism and civil rights violations. It would also provide a roadmap for other universities seeking to regain federal funding and the confidence of the American public.

References:
[1] https://www.29news.com/2025/07/24/columbia-university-agrees-pay-more-than-220m-deal-with-trump-restore-federal-funding/
[2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/columbia-university-trump-settlement-research-funds-1.7592711