Meta has agreed to pay former U.S. President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit he filed in 2021. The lawsuit stemmed from Meta’s decision to suspend Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the settlement, describing it as a significant outcome for Trump. Sources familiar with the agreement told the Journal that $22 million of the settlement will go toward funding Trump’s future presidential library. The remaining amount will cover legal fees and other costs related to the lawsuit.
Despite the settlement, Meta has not admitted any wrongdoing regarding its decision to suspend Trump’s accounts. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the agreement to AFP but did not provide further details.
Trump had been vocal in his criticism of social media companies for suspending his accounts, arguing that their actions amounted to censorship. His ban from Facebook and Instagram came after he made comments that were viewed as supportive of those involved in the Capitol riot.
Recently, Trump has been engaging with influential figures in the tech industry, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter). Both executives attended Trump’s presidential inauguration last week in Washington, signaling a shift in their relationship with him.
Zuckerberg has also made changes to Meta’s content policies. He stated that Meta would be “restoring free expression on our platforms.” The decision included scaling back some of the company’s fact-checking efforts. Reports indicate that Zuckerberg dined with Trump at his Florida estate in November before announcing these policy changes.
This settlement is the latest in a series of legal victories for Trump as he prepares for a potential return to the White House. In December, ABC News also reached a $15 million settlement with Trump over a defamation lawsuit related to on-air comments made by a top anchor.
Meanwhile, Meta’s financial performance remains strong. On Wednesday, the company reported that its net income had surged by 59 percent, reaching $62.36 billion for the full year.
