US President Donald Trump said that Harvard University must pay $500 million if it wants its federal research funding back.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump turned to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and said, “We want nothing less than $500 million from Harvard. Don’t negotiate, Linda.” He repeated, “They’ve been very bad. Don’t negotiate.”

According to The New York Times, three people familiar with the matter said that Harvard had agreed to invest $500 million in education and research programs. However, the university reportedly made it clear that it would not pay the government directly. In exchange, the Trump administration was expected to restore research funding and drop the plan to appoint a monitor over the university.

Trump on Chinese students in US colleges

Later in the same meeting, Trump spoke about the importance of foreign students, especially from China.

“I like that their students come here. I like that other countries come here. And you know what would happen if they didn’t? Our college system would go to hell very quickly,” he said.

The president explained that he had earlier considered restricting visas for Chinese students but was now moving away from that plan as relations with Beijing improved. “We’re getting along very well with China, and I’m getting along very well with President Xi. I think it’s very insulting to say students can’t come here,” Trump added.

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