Meta to Pay Trump $25 Million in Settlement Over 2021 Account Ban
Washington, D.C.: In a significant legal resolution, Meta has agreed to pay $25 million to former U.S. President Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit he filed over the suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts following the 2021 Capitol riots. The settlement, reported by The Wall Street Journal, is seen as a legal win for Trump, who has long accused major social media platforms of political bias.
Settlement Terms
According to sources familiar with the agreement, a substantial portion of the settlement—$22 million—will be directed toward funding Trump’s future presidential library. The remaining amount will cover legal fees and payments to other plaintiffs who were part of the case. However, the settlement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by Meta regarding the account suspensions.
A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the settlement, but the company has not commented further on the specifics of the case.
Background: Trump’s Ban and Legal Challenge
Following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Trump was banned from major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, for content that was perceived as inciting or endorsing the violence. The lawsuit, filed later that year, argued that Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, had unfairly silenced him and violated free speech principles.
Trump, who has frequently criticized social media giants for what he calls political censorship, welcomed the settlement as a victory for free expression.
Trump’s Relationship with Tech Giants Shifts
Interestingly, in recent months, Trump has softened his stance toward major tech figures, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk. Both executives attended Trump’s second presidential inauguration in Washington last week.
Zuckerberg has reportedly expressed support for Trump and has made policy adjustments within Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, to ease content restrictions. Earlier this month, he announced a rollback of fact-checking operations, stating that Meta was “restoring free expression on our platforms.” Reports also suggest that Zuckerberg and Trump dined together at the former president’s Florida estate in November, signaling a shift in their relationship.
The Meta settlement is the latest in a series of agreements reached by major media corporations in the wake of Trump’s return to power. In December, ABC News paid a $15 million settlement to resolve a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump over comments made by a top anchor.
Meanwhile, Meta continues to thrive financially. The company recently reported a 59% surge in net income, reaching $62.36 billion for the full year.
While Meta avoids admitting fault, the settlement underscores the growing influence Trump continues to exert over major tech and media corporations. With his return to the White House, industry leaders appear to be recalibrating their approach to his administration, navigating a landscape that will once again be shaped by his policies and influence.
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