Harvard is suing the Trump administration over a $2.6 billion research funding cut, calling it retaliation for defying federal antisemitism directives—raising concerns about academic independence.

Columbia settled with the Trump administration for over $220 million. Harvard is reportedly open to paying twice as much.

The White House views a payment of $500 million by Harvard University as a floor in negotiations for a settlement, and the cost of a deal could climb far higher if the school doesn't submit to government oversight provisions.