Trump Administration Freezes Duke University Funding Over Discrimination Allegations

The Trump administration froze $108 million in research funding to Duke University, citing racial discrimination related to affirmative action. The National Institutes of Health halted the funding after the Department of Health and Human Services and the Education Department alleged racial preferences in Duke's hiring and admissions.

Duke joins other universities facing funding holds due to investigations into DEI policies. The letter to Duke accuses the university of "vile racism" and racial preferences, threatening its federal funding. It demands Duke end race-based practices and establish a government-approved committee to address the issues.

This action is part of a broader campaign against DEI practices, which the administration views as discriminatory. The administration is using federal funding as leverage to reshape universities, creating financial challenges for those reliant on grants. Duke spent $1.5 billion on research last year, with a majority from federal sources. The administration seeks settlements like the one with Columbia University, which agreed to pay and make policy changes to regain funding.