YouTube will pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump.
YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The case was linked to the suspension of his account after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
According to court filings, $22 million will be directed to the Trust for the National Mall, which preserves historic sites in Washington, D.C., and supports the construction of the White House State Ballroom. An additional $2.5 million will go to other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union.
Trump sued YouTube, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter) after they banned him following the storming of the Capitol by his supporters in January 2021. He argued the bans violated his rights, while the platforms defended their decisions as enforcement of rules against incitement to violence.
This settlement closes Trump’s legal battles with major tech platforms. Meta settled in January for $25 million. X settled in February for around $10 million.
The YouTube agreement marks the final chapter in Trump’s challenges against Big Tech over his social media bans.
Legal experts say the deal may influence how high-profile figures contest social media moderation policies in the future. Critics argue the case highlights the power of political leaders in negotiating with tech giants, raising fresh questions about free speech and accountability on private platforms.
