Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly criticized major universities such as Columbia, Brown, Harvard, and Penn for agreeing to multimillion-dollar settlements with the Trump administration in exchange for the restoration of federal research funding. Newsom accused these institutions of 'selling their souls' and emphasized that the University of California, Los Angeles would not follow their example, pledging to defend democratic principles and freedoms regardless of political affiliation.

Newsom specifically called out Harvard over reports of a possible $500 million settlement to regain access to billions in federal funding, questioning the university's commitment to principle given its large endowment. He reiterated his stance in public appearances, vowing that UCLA would not pay a settlement under his leadership and expressing disappointment in other universities' decisions.

The Trump administration has sought significant settlements from universities, including a $1 billion demand from UCLA and the establishment of a claims fund for alleged civil rights violations. UCLA has already paid $6 million to settle a lawsuit related to its handling of anti-Israel protests, but Newsom remains adamant that further concessions will not be made.