Meta agrees to pay $25 million to Donald Trump to settle his lawsuit over social media bans without admitting wrongdoing

Meta has reached a settlement with former US President Donald Trump, agreeing to pay him $25 million to resolve a lawsuit filed in 2021 over his suspension from Facebook and Instagram following the January 6 Capitol riot. The lawsuit accused the tech giant of unfairly blocking Trump’s accounts after the insurrection, which was incited by his supporters.

The Wall Street Journal broke the news of the settlement, revealing that $22 million of the payment will be directed toward funding Trump’s future presidential library, while the remaining $3 million will cover legal fees and compensation for other plaintiffs involved in the case. Despite the payment, Meta did not admit any wrongdoing concerning the suspension of Trump’s accounts.

Trump had long criticised social media platforms for blocking him after the violent attack on the Capitol, citing his remarks that were seen as sympathetic toward the rioters. His suspension was a highly publicised move by major tech companies, with many supporters of Trump alleging censorship.

In the aftermath of the lawsuit, Trump has cultivated relationships with prominent tech figures, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk. Both Zuckerberg and Musk were in attendance at Trump’s presidential inauguration, with Zuckerberg offering public support for Trump and announcing that Meta would roll back certain content restrictions on its platforms.

Zuckerberg recently stated that Meta would be “restoring free expression” on its apps, which include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. In the wake of the lawsuit settlement, Meta’s recent report also highlighted a 59% increase in net income, reaching $62.36 billion for the full year.

This settlement adds to a series of media-related legal victories for Trump, including a recent defamation settlement with ABC News. The deal further underscores the growing influence of media and tech companies as they prepare for a possible second term under Trump’s leadership.