
President Donald Trump has reached a $25 million settlement with Meta after suing the company for banning his social media accounts following the events of Jan. 6, 2021. The agreement, which was made public Wednesday, brings an end to the legal battle over his removal from Facebook and Instagram.
Trump’s accounts were suspended after Meta claimed that his posts violated platform policies. Initially banned indefinitely, his accounts remained restricted for two years. Trump later argued in court that Meta’s actions were politically driven and targeted conservatives unfairly.
Fork It Over, Zuck: Meta Agrees to Pay Donald Trump $25 Million for Suspending His Account https://t.co/U98xZpX5z3
— It’s Chinatown, Jake (@DetectiveJake1) January 30, 2025
Under the terms of the settlement, $22 million will be allocated to a fund for Trump’s presidential library, with the remaining $3 million covering legal expenses and payments to additional plaintiffs. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the settlement’s details.
In November 2024, Zuckerberg traveled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump after his reelection, and sources say the lawsuit was among the topics discussed. Zuckerberg also attended Trump’s inauguration and was seen alongside other business leaders during the ceremonies.
Meta’s decision to settle comes as the company moves to mend its relationship with the Trump administration. In addition to the legal payout, Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee and adjusted its approach to content moderation, including reducing its reliance on fact-checking initiatives.
The settlement is one of several recent legal victories for Trump. ABC News recently agreed to a $15 million payout over a separate defamation lawsuit involving one of its anchors.
Watch the full report on YouTube