Trump and Meta Settle Lawsuit for $25 Million After Account Suspension

President Donald Trump has signed a settlement agreement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, following a lawsuit he filed after the company suspended his social media accounts in the wake of the January 6th Capitol riot in 2021. The settlement, confirmed on Wednesday, will see Meta pay a total of $25 million, with $22 million going into a fund for Trump’s presidential library. The remaining amount will cover legal fees and compensation for other plaintiffs involved in the case.

Meta's suspension of Trump’s accounts in 2021 following the riot led to a significant public dispute. Meta initially said the suspension would last at least two years. After the 2024 presidential election, the company lifted the restrictions, and Trump regained access to his accounts. Meta has not admitted to any wrongdoing in the settlement, and the terms were filed in federal court in San Francisco.

The settlement comes after years of tension between Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Trump has long been critical of Zuckerberg and Facebook, even calling the platform “anti-Trump” back in 2017. The relationship worsened after Trump’s accounts were banned, with the president labeling Facebook “an enemy of the people” in 2024. However, the relationship between Trump and Zuckerberg has shifted in recent months, especially after Trump won the 2024 election. Zuckerberg visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in November, and the company has since made moves to align more closely with Trump’s views, such as relaxing its content moderation policies and ending its partnerships with third-party fact-checkers.

Meta’s decision to modify its content review system, which replaced independent fact-checkers in the US with user-generated “community notes,” is just one example of the company's shift in approach. The company has also made other strategic changes, such as appointing Trump ally Dana White, the UFC president, to its board of directors. Meta's stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has also been altered, with the company pulling back from such initiatives after facing pressure from conservative critics.

While Meta and the White House declined to comment on the settlement, the legal agreement reflects the ongoing realignment between Trump and the tech industry. In recent years, Meta has made several moves to distance itself from the content moderation practices that were seen as overly restrictive by conservatives. These changes have attracted both criticism and support, with some seeing them as a step toward more free expression, while others worry about the potential for misinformation.

The settlement is not the only one Trump has secured recently. In December, ABC agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit related to anchor George Stephanopoulos. However, the Meta deal stands out due to the company’s immense influence and its crucial role in shaping public discourse during Trump’s presidency.

Despite the settlement, Trump’s relationship with social media platforms remains a focal point of his political and public persona. After being reinstated on Twitter (now known as X) by Elon Musk, Trump continues to use the platform as a central tool in his campaign and public communication efforts. Musk’s decision to reverse Trump’s ban came after a poll on the site showed support for his return.

Meta's actions come amid significant changes in the broader tech landscape. Zuckerberg has emphasized the company's commitment to artificial intelligence, announcing plans to invest $65 billion into AI infrastructure this year. The company is also working to revitalize Facebook, a platform that has seen its relevance diminish in recent years as younger users flock to competitors like Instagram and TikTok.

Meta’s $25 million settlement with Trump highlights the ongoing tensions and shifting dynamics between tech giants and political figures. As both sides continue to adapt to changing political landscapes, the influence of social media in shaping public discourse remains as significant as ever.