YouTube has agreed to a $24.5 million settlement with former President Donald Trump to resolve a lawsuit following the suspension of his account in January 2021, in the wake of the Capitol riots. As reported by CNN, this settlement makes YouTube, owned by tech giant Alphabet, the latest major social media platform to settle a legal dispute with the former U.S. President over his removal from their services.
According to court documents cited by CNN, the majority of the settlement funds will benefit the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit focused on the restoration and preservation of Washington's historic park, and will also fund the construction of a ballroom in the White House. The remaining funds will be distributed among other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union, a leading organization in the conservative movement in the United States.
The lawsuit was filed after Trump's suspension from YouTube and other platforms, which was a response to concerns that his posts about the January 6th Capitol attack could incite further violence. At the time, legal experts noted that such lawsuits had limited chances of success, as private companies have the right to moderate content on their platforms.
This agreement with YouTube follows similar settlements by other major tech companies. In January, Meta settled a related lawsuit with a substantial payout, followed by X—formerly known as Twitter—reaching a settlement after suspending the President's account. As noted by The New York Times, this legal process is part of a broader shift in the relationship between major tech companies and the Republican government since Trump's return to the White House.
After Elon Musk acquired X in 2022, the platform was the first to reinstate Trump's account, a move echoed by Meta in February 2023 and YouTube in March of the same year. YouTube also recently announced plans to restore some accounts suspended for misinformation, including those related to the 2020 presidential election. In a statement, the company emphasized that it "values conservative voices on its platform and acknowledges that these creators have significant reach and importance in public discourse."
This settlement concludes one of the most contentious periods between Trump and major tech companies, signaling a shift in the dynamic between Silicon Valley and the Republican administration at a time when social media platforms are aiming to mend their relationship with the government after years of political and regulatory tension.
Implications of YouTube’s Settlement with Trump
What led to YouTube's settlement with Donald Trump?
YouTube reached a settlement with Donald Trump following a lawsuit over the suspension of his account after the January 6th Capitol riots. The company agreed to pay $24.5 million to resolve the dispute.
How will the settlement funds be used?
The majority of the funds will go to the Trust for the National Mall, supporting its efforts in restoration and preservation, as well as funding a ballroom in the White House. The rest will be distributed among other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union.
Why were legal experts skeptical about the lawsuit's success?
Legal experts were doubtful about the success of the lawsuit because private companies like YouTube have the right to moderate content on their platforms, which includes suspending accounts that violate their terms of service.