Harvard weighs how to strike deal with Trump admin without looking like it caved: Report

The Times, citing three people familiar with the university's situation, said Harvard was "shaping internal debates" around its talks with Trump's administration. 

"Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so."

The president noted the university "acted extremely appropriately" during negotiations, applauding their leadership's apparent commitment to do "what is right." 

Former Harvard president Lawrence Summers told The New York Times that a deal with the Trump administration shouldn't be interpreted as a surrender. Summers suggested Harvard could benefit from addressing certain issues while also maintaining their independence. 

"I don't hear anyone at Harvard saying Harvard doesn't need to work at diversity of perspective," he told the outlet.

The former university president also said that Harvard would likely face criticism no matter what.

"There's no way forward for Harvard without there being substantial criticism, so I think it's a question of which critics you are going to have," Summers said.

The Trump administration hopes a potential deal with Harvard will come soon and serve as a model for other elite universities.

Harvard did not immediately return a request for comment.