Trump's $1 Billion Demand on University of California Sparks Controversy
President Donald Trump has made a bold move by demanding a staggering $1 billion fine from the University of California (UC) system. This demand comes as part of his administration's ongoing efforts to address what they claim is antisemitism in UCLA’s response to student protests related to the Gaza conflict in 2024.
The proposed fine, which is five times the amount Columbia University agreed to pay to settle similar accusations of antisemitism, could have severe financial consequences for the UC system. A senior official within the university system expressed concern, stating that such a payment would "completely devastate" the UC, a public institution that serves as a vital resource for students and taxpayers alike.
James Milliken, the president overseeing the UC system, including the Los Angeles-based UCLA, confirmed that the university had received the $1 billion demand. He emphasized the importance of the UC system as a steward of taxpayer resources and warned that the financial burden would negatively impact students and Californians.
Milliken highlighted the critical role that the UC system plays in advancing technologies, medical therapies, and national security. He pointed out that the work of institutions like UCLA contributes significantly to the U.S. economy and the well-being of the nation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who sits on the UC board, responded to Trump's demand during a press conference. He vowed to take legal action, accusing the former president of attempting to suppress academic freedom. Newsom criticized Trump for using the threat of a $1 billion fine as a form of extortion, claiming that it was meant to force the UC system to comply with his demands.
Newsom also praised the UC system for its contributions to California's economy, citing its role in producing scientists, engineers, and Nobel laureates. He emphasized that the UC system is a cornerstone of the state's success and should not be subjected to attacks on its academic freedom.
According to media reports, the government is seeking the $1 billion in installments and is also demanding that the university pay $172 million to a claims fund intended to compensate Jewish students and others affected by alleged discrimination. This additional financial burden adds to the challenges already faced by the UC system, which is dealing with a freeze on medical and science grants at UCLA alone.
This move appears to follow a strategy similar to the one used by the White House to extract concessions from Columbia University. The administration is also reportedly applying the same tactics to Harvard University. The agreement reached with Columbia included a pledge to avoid considering race in admissions or hiring, which has drawn criticism from Newsom.
"We will not be complicit in this kind of attack on academic freedom, or on this extraordinary public institution. We are not like some of those other institutions that have followed a different path," Newsom stated.
Pro-Palestinian protests swept through numerous U.S. campuses in 2024, leading to police crackdowns and incidents of mob violence at student encampments. These events occurred at universities ranging from Columbia to UCLA, with then-President Joe Biden emphasizing the need for "order to prevail."
Since Trump returned to the White House in January, universities have become targets of his administration. The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement views academia as elitist, overly liberal, and hostile to the ethno-nationalist sentiments that resonate with many of Trump's supporters.