Meta Settles Massive $25 Million Lawsuit…with Trump

Meta reaches a $25 million settlement with President Donald Trump over his 2021 account suspension, marking a significant shift in social media policy.

At a Glance

  • Meta agrees to pay $25 million to settle lawsuit with Trump over 2021 account suspension
  • $22 million of the settlement will fund Trump’s Presidential Library
  • Meta has not admitted any wrongdoing as part of the settlement
  • Settlement discussions began in November when Zuckerberg met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
  • Meta has made policy changes to allow more types of speech across its platforms

Meta’s $25 Million Settlement with Trump

In a surprising turn of events, Meta Platforms has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump over the suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. This settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding social media platforms, free speech, and content moderation policies.

The lawsuit, which centered on Trump’s claims of censorship by social media platforms, has been resolved without Meta admitting any wrongdoing. This strategic move by the tech giant demonstrates its willingness to close a chapter of controversy while potentially reshaping its approach to handling influential, politically charged users.

Allocation of Settlement Funds

Of the $25 million settlement, a substantial portion – $22 million – will be directed towards funding Trump’s Presidential Library. The remaining $3 million will cover legal fees and other plaintiffs involved in the case. The allocation underscores the significance of the settlement for Trump, who has long criticized social media platforms for as censorship of conservative voices.

The settlement comes after Meta’s initial indefinite suspension of Trump’s accounts, which was later reduced to a two-year ban. The final constraints on Trump’s accounts were lifted in July 2024, just ahead of the Presidential Election cycle. The timing could have had significant implications for Trump’s campaign and his ability to reach supporters through social media.

Meta’s Evolving Policies and Zuckerberg’s Stance

The road to this settlement began in November when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This meeting signaled a potential shift in the company’s approach to content moderation and its relationship with high-profile political figures. Since then, Zuckerberg has implemented policy changes aimed at allowing more types of speech across Meta’s platforms.

In a notable move, Zuckerberg has also eliminated diversity and inclusion initiatives within the company, further indicating a change in Meta’s corporate culture and priorities. These actions, coupled with the settlement, suggest a recalibration of Meta’s stance on free expression.