Washington: Alphabet-owned YouTube has reached a $24.5 million settlement with former US President Donald Trump, closing a lawsuit that arose after the suspension of his account in the wake of the January 2021 Capitol riots. The settlement brings an end to one of the most closely watched legal battles between Big Tech and American politics.
According to Reuters, under the terms of the deal, $22 million will be directed to the Trust for the National Mall to support a $200 million presidential ballroom project at the White House. The remaining sum will be distributed among other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf.
YouTube emphasized that the agreement does not include any admission of wrongdoing and will not require policy or product changes. Trump’s suspension had placed temporary restrictions on uploading new content, but his account was fully restored in 2023.
Earlier this year, Meta settled a similar lawsuit for about $25 million, while X (formerly Twitter) reached a $10 million settlement, with much of the funding allocated to Trump’s presidential library projects. Analysts suggest these settlements reveal how major tech companies prefer financial resolutions over protracted court battles, allowing them to maintain their policy frameworks while moving past politically charged disputes.
This development highlights the ongoing tension between digital platforms and political power, reviving debates around freedom of expression, censorship, and the responsibilities of global tech giants in democratic societies.
