Key Facts
• Columbia University faced grant freezes under the Trump administration due to alleged inaction on anti-Semitism.
• The university agreed to pay $2.21 billion (approx. ¥320 billion) over three years as a settlement.
• Trump administration had frozen grants worth approximately ¥580 billion.
• Anti-Israel protests at Columbia University since spring 2024 prompted the administration’s actions.
• Settlement will unfreeze the grants and may influence other universities under similar pressure.
• Former President Trump called the agreement “historic” on his social media.
Summary
Columbia University announced a settlement with the Trump administration, agreeing to pay $2.21 billion (approx. ¥320 billion) over three years to resolve disputes over frozen grants. The grants, worth approximately ¥580 billion, were frozen due to the administration’s claims that the university failed to address anti-Semitism amid ongoing anti-Israel protests. The settlement will restore the grants and could set a precedent for other universities facing similar pressures. Former President Trump welcomed the agreement, calling it a “historic” resolution.
