California Gov. Gavin Newsom is throwing punches at President Donald Trump over a staggering $1 billion demand targeting UCLA, calling it nothing short of extortion.
At the heart of this clash, Newsom has accused Trump of holding millions in federal research grants hostage unless UCLA coughs up a billion dollars over allegations of antisemitism, a move that could cost the university over half a billion in critical funding, Politico reported.
Let’s rewind to the root of this showdown. Trump’s administration has been flexing its muscle against higher education, withholding funds from universities nationwide over claims of antisemitism. UCLA, a titan in the public university system, is the latest to feel the heat.
Under Trump’s proposal, UCLA would pay the billion-dollar sum in installments across three years. This isn’t just a fine—it’s a deal to resolve alleged civil rights violations and force sweeping operational changes at the university, according to insiders familiar with a draft plan.
Newsom, who sits as an ex-officio member of the university system’s Board of Regents, isn’t mincing words. “He has threatened us through extortion with a billion-dollar fine unless we do his bidding,” he declared. Well, Governor, it seems Trump’s playing a high-stakes game of poker, and UCLA’s chips are on the table.
Newsom doubled down, insisting, “We will not be complicit in this kind of attack on academic freedom.” That’s a bold stand, but in a world where federal funding is the lifeblood of research, resisting could mean financial ruin for one of California’s proudest institutions.
Meanwhile, UCLA isn’t the only school in Trump’s crosshairs. Negotiations are underway with other heavyweights like Cornell and Harvard over similar disputes. It’s clear the administration is waging a broader war on what it sees as unchecked progressive agendas in academia.
Just look at recent precedents. About two weeks ago, Columbia University buckled under pressure, agreeing to a $200 million fine to reinstate most of its paused or terminated federal grants. That’s a hefty price tag for compliance.
Not long after, just over a week ago, Brown University followed suit with a $50 million settlement. In exchange, they secured restored research grants and eligibility for future federal contracts. Turns out, standing up to Washington often comes with a receipt.
Back in California, Newsom is urging UCLA to hold the line. “I’ll do everything in my power to encourage them to do the right thing and not to become another institution that takes a shortcut,” he said. Admirable, but is this defiance worth risking half a billion in funding?
From a conservative lens, Trump’s push to hold universities accountable for alleged civil rights failures isn’t entirely misplaced. Campuses have long been criticized as echo chambers for progressive thought, often sidelining dissenting voices. But a billion-dollar penalty? That’s a sledgehammer when a scalpel might do.
Critics might argue this smells more like political leverage than principle. Targeting one of the nation’s largest public university systems sends a loud message: toe the line, or pay the price. It’s a tactic that could chill academic freedom, even if the intent is to correct perceived biases.
On the flip side, universities aren’t above scrutiny. If antisemitism or other forms of discrimination are festering on campus, shouldn’t there be consequences? The challenge is ensuring accountability without turning federal funding into a weapon of ideological control.
As this battle unfolds, UCLA stands at a crossroads. Will it resist Trump’s demands and risk financial catastrophe, or follow the path of Columbia and Brown by striking a costly deal?
For now, Newsom’s fiery rhetoric suggests California won’t go down without a fight, but only time will tell if principle can outlast pragmatism.
