Image Credit: X account @WhiteHouse
YouTube to Pay $24.5M in Trump Settlement
YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. The settlement brings to an end a dispute that began in 2021.
Settlement Terms
Under the agreement, $22 million will go to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit that will direct the funds toward the construction of a White House ballroom at Trump’s request. The remaining $2.5 million will be distributed to other plaintiffs in the case, including the American Conservative Union and writer Naomi Wolf. Importantly, YouTube has not admitted to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Background & Account Status
Trump’s YouTube channel was suspended shortly after the Capitol attack, preventing him from posting new content but not removing the channel entirely. In March 2023, the suspension was lifted, and his account was restored to full activity. His lawsuit argued that the suspension amounted to an unfair restriction on his speech.
Broader Industry Impact
The settlement comes after similar cases involving other tech giants. Meta previously paid $25 million and X (formerly Twitter) agreed to a $10 million settlement over their suspensions of Trump. Analysts note these developments reflect ongoing debates around content moderation, political speech, and the accountability of major digital platforms.
