Trump signals possible deal with Harvard, praises university’s response

New Delhi, Jun 21: CNN reports that US President Donald Trump on Friday praised Harvard University for “acting extremely appropriately” amid ongoing negotiations between the university and federal officials, suggesting a potential breakthrough in a series of disputes that have drawn national attention. “Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution,” Trump said in a social media post. “We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so.”

The remarks mark a notable shift in tone from the Trump administration, which has launched multiple investigations into Harvard, including over allegations of antisemitism on campus during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

CNN also reported that Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently acknowledged that Harvard has taken steps to address the administration’s concerns, including changes in faculty leadership. “We are, I think, making progress... They have, for instance, replaced their head of Middle East Studies,” she said during a conversation hosted by Bloomberg. While McMahon indicated that the administration would continue monitoring the situation, she stopped short of announcing new actions, saying only, “We’re continuing with the things we’ve already talked about.” A deal, if reached, would mark a major turning point in the administration’s campaign targeting elite universities over campus speech and conduct.