Trump says 'Harvard starting to behave', signals progress in negotiations with university

Trump's remarks come after he suspended the entry of foreign students seeking to study at Harvard University through exchange programmes.

Updated on: Jun 5, 2025, 22:36:24 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A day after barring the admission of foreign students in Harvard University, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the administration of the Ivy League university has "started to behave".

Trump signals progress in talks with Harvard, says university "starting to behave" (Bloomberg)

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, the Republican leader said, "I think they’re starting to behave, actually, if you want to know the truth.”

As per Bloomberg, the US President added that all the administration wanted was the list of international students enrolled in the top university.

“Harvard didn’t want to give us the list. They’re going to be giving us the list,” Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

ALSO READ | After Harvard and Columbia, Trump admin continues to target over 60 universities

Speaking to reporters, the US president added that the government wants foreign students to come, but would like to check and "vet" them first.

Trump instates ban on foreign students for Harvard

On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that he has suspended the entry of foreign students seeking to study at Harvard University through exchange programmes.

The US president cited concerns regarding "national security" as he enforced the six-month ban.

"Considering these facts, I have determined that it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at Harvard University," said Trump.

Trump's escalation comes as part of an ongoing legal row with Harvard University, which is one of the US's most prestigious universities, after Harvard refused to hand over a list of international students enrolled in the university to the Trump administration.

The Trump administration has already revoked $2.5 million in funds for the Ivy League university and threatened to freeze more grants from federal agencies worth $450 million.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.