Trump freezes over $1bn in funds for US universities over Israel protests

The Trump administration has blocked more than $1bn in funding for Cornell University and $790m for Northwestern University, citing civil rights investigations, Reuters reports.

A US official, speaking anonymously, said the suspended funds cover grants from multiple federal departments, including health, education and defence.

This crackdown follows a warning to 60 universities over what the Trump administration claims is antisemitism on university campuses. However critics argue that in reality the administration working alongside pro-Israeli and Zionist groups is seeking to silence pro-Palestinian voices. 

Last week, the government began reviewing $9bn in grants to Harvard, and last month, it scrapped $400m for Columbia - ground zero for last year’s pro-Palestine protests.

Trump has accused student demonstrators of being antisemitic and backing Hamas. But protesters, including Jewish activists, argue the administration is conflating criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza with hate speech.