Harvard University is embroiled in a contentious lawsuit against the Trump administration, asserting that the federal government illegally cut $2.6 billion in research funding. Harvard is reportedly open to spending up to $500 million to reach a settlement with Trump. The case has drawn attention to issues of academic freedom, with a notable instance being the abrupt cancellation of a journal issue on Palestine by a Harvard publisher. As the legal showdown unfolds in federal court, a judge has expressed skepticism towards the government’s arguments, calling them ‘mind-boggling.’ Meanwhile, Trump has publicly criticized the judicial proceedings, implying bias from an Obama-appointed judge. The conflict not only centers around funding but has broader implications for democracy and academic institutions, indicating a significant clash between Trump and Harvard.