Donald Trump has just settled another dispute that ended with a multimillion-dollar payment. This time, Northwestern University agreed with the Trump administration to give $75 million to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund.
The announcement came through an inter-agency statement that included the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Education. Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement saying, “Today’s settlement marks another victory in the Trump Administration’s fight to ensure that American educational institutions protect Jewish students and put merit first. Institutions that accept federal funds are obligated to follow civil rights law — we are grateful to Northwestern for negotiating this historic deal.”
The Trump administration had enforced a litany of funding freezes on specific institutions throughout the country in response to what it described as a “hostile educational environment directed toward Jewish students.” This all started after the backlash to the Israeli retaliation to the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7 began to scrutinize Israel’s war approach. University students started peacefully protesting against U.S. support for the wars.
The students claimed that the war was actually a genocide, which the U.N. later agreed. They were also calling for an immediate ceasefire, which Trump himself not only agreed with but wants full credit for making happen. Yet somehow, the administration still froze $790 million in funding to Northwestern until the university yielded to its demands.
In their announcement that they had finally reached an agreement with Northwestern, the administration also released a list of its expectations going forward, in addition to the payment. From now on, the Department of Justice stated that the institution “does not preference individuals based on race, color, or national origin in admissions, scholarships, hiring, or promotion. Northwestern shall maintain clear policies and procedures relating to demonstrations, protests, displays, and other expressive activities, as well as implement mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff.”
Over on X, reactions ranged from disappointment toward the institution to general concern about what the administration is going to use all this settlement money for. One user said that universities need to stop bending the knee. Another pointed out that Northwestern paying the fee and changing its curriculum is a total loss. Another user simply wanted answers about where all this money is going, because recently the Trump administration has been collecting a fine here, a settlement there, and more.
These universities need to stand tf up. Stop bending the knee
— ladidai (@ladidaix)see linkinbyeo (@ladidaix) November 29, 2025
This is INSANE!! They're really gonna pay this man AND be forced to abandon equitable admissions for possible future grants? They're losing!
— nfray20 (@nfray20) November 29, 2025
Does anyone actually know where all this money is going?
— Frank C (@FrankC164) November 29, 2025
Because every five minutes there’s another multimillion-dollar “payment,” “fine,” or “settlement” being funneled through the Trump administration like it’s a side hustle.
The problem with this situation is that there actually is an issue with antisemitism — but there are few instances of that actually being reported from universities, especially on a large scale supported by faculty. The gray area in this debate is how best to respectfully disagree with Zionism. Young students want to cut through the discourse and point out how the ideology has harmed Palestinians, while the Trump administration wants to issue injunctions for any criticism of Israel.
As for where the money will ultimately go, it’s hard to tell. But if the YouTube settlement was any indicator, it will at least be considered for addition to the fund being used to build Trump’s White House ballroom.
