Trump Administration Freezes $500M in Funding to Brown University Over Antisemitism Response

Brown University is facing a significant financial blow as the Trump administration has decided to halt more than $500 million in federal funding. The decision stems from allegations that the Ivy League institution mishandled its response to antisemitism following Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel.

A White House official revealed that nearly $510 million in federal contracts and grants awarded to Brown are now at risk. The Associated Press reported the news, citing an anonymous source. Meanwhile, Brown University has yet to respond to inquiries about the matter.

Provost Frank Doyle addressed rumors about the potential funding freeze in an email to campus leaders, stating that the university lacks sufficient information to substantiate these claims. The uncertainty, however, hasn’t quelled the growing concerns among students and faculty.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t an isolated move by the Trump administration. Federal funding to other Ivy League schools, excluding Penn and Dartmouth, has been suspended over investigations into anti-Israel protests on campus since October 2023. Columbia University was the first to face repercussions, losing $400 million in federal funding over its alleged failure to ensure the safety of Jewish students. The university eventually conceded to demands from the administration in hopes of restoring its funding.

Harvard University, with nearly $9 billion in federal grants and contracts, is now under review by a federal antisemitism task force. Princeton University has also confirmed that dozens of its research grants have been halted.

The Trump administration has taken an aggressive stance against campus antisemitism, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon stating last month that universities receiving federal funding have a "responsibility to protect all students from discrimination." She added that institutions that fail to meet this standard risk losing their eligibility to "do business with the United States government."

In addition to freezing funds, the administration has detained and deported foreign students linked to anti-Israel protests. Last month, a Brown assistant professor holding an H-1B visa was deported to Lebanon for her support of and attendance at the funeral of a slain Hezbollah leader.

Brown University has previously courted controversy over its dealings with anti-Israel protesters. In 2024, the university struck a deal with demonstrators occupying parts of the campus, agreeing to have its governing board vote on whether to divest from companies associated with Israel. Ultimately, the board rejected the divestment proposal, but the incident left a lasting mark on the university's reputation.

As the Trump administration doubles down on holding universities accountable, the spotlight remains firmly on Brown and other elite institutions grappling with these allegations.