The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a massive freeze on federal funding to Brown University, totaling approximately $510 million, amid an intensifying crackdown on Ivy League institutions accused of enabling antisemitism and enforcing politically driven DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) agendas.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the review was triggered by recent complaints submitted to the Department of Education and Department of Justice, which allege that Brown’s administrative leadership failed to adequately address a pattern of antisemitic incidents on campus. Simultaneously, officials are scrutinizing whether DEI policies at the university may have infringed on First Amendment protections or created what they call a “hostile ideological environment.”
This development mirrors similar moves taken against other Ivy League institutions, including Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton, all of which have recently experienced funding reviews or freezes over comparable concerns. A White House official, speaking on background, said the administration is “holding elite institutions accountable for systemic bias, lack of viewpoint diversity, and a failure to protect Jewish students.”
Brown University, which receives federal funding primarily for research, student financial aid, and healthcare partnerships, could see a significant disruption in operations if the freeze is enacted. Nearly $120 million of the university’s annual federal support comes through NIH grants alone, with additional funds allocated through the Department of Education and federal work-study programs.
Trump and RFK Jr are freezing federal funds to 4 out of 8 Ivy League universities to punish them for “institutional antisemitism.” Sounds pretty woke to me.
Columbia: $400 million
Harvard: $9 billion
Princeton: $210 million
Brown: $510 million— Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) April 4, 2025
Critics of the potential freeze argue that such measures threaten academic freedom and could disproportionately harm students and researchers. Meanwhile, proponents say that elite universities must be held accountable for what they view as one-sided political indoctrination and unsafe environments for Jewish students.
If approved, the Brown University case could mark one of the largest federal funding holds imposed on an American university in recent history. The review is expected to conclude within the next two months, with formal action possible by early summer.
More updates to follow as this story develops.
