President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that Columbia University has agreed to pay $200 million to the federal government in a sweeping settlement over its response to anti-Israel protests on campus.
In addition to the penalty, Columbia will pay $20 million to Jewish employees who were “unlawfully targeted and harassed.” In return, the Trump administration will unfreeze federal funding and close several ongoing investigations into the university.
“I am pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached a historic agreement with Columbia University,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He praised the school for agreeing to “end their ridiculous DEI policies,” move to merit-based admissions, and commit to protecting students’ civil liberties.
Trump credited Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon and others for brokering the deal and warned that other universities were “upcoming” in similar investigations. “Numerous other Higher Education Institutions… are upcoming,” he said.
Columbia, in a statement, denied any wrongdoing but acknowledged that Jewish students and faculty had experienced “painful, unacceptable incidents.” As part of the deal, the university agreed to review its Middle East studies programs and assign a senior official to recommend ways to support Jewish students.
The settlement bans the university from operating DEI programs that offer benefits based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Admissions must be based strictly on merit, and even diversity essays can no longer be used as a proxy for racial preferences.
Columbia is also required to submit detailed admissions data to the federal government — including race, GPA, and test scores — to ensure compliance with the new merit-based criteria.
Additionally, the university agreed to base hiring decisions on professional merit and to protect access to women-only housing, locker rooms, sports, and shower facilities.
“This agreement marks an important step forward,” said acting Columbia President Claire Shipman. “It allows our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track.”