Meta has agreed to pay US$25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former US President Donald Trump over the suspension of his social media accounts following the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news, and Meta spokesperson Andy Stone later confirmed the settlement.
According to sources, Trump discussed the lawsuit with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a recent meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate. One insider told The Wall Street Journal that Trump suggested resolving the case could be a prerequisite for Zuckerberg to gain influence within Trump’s circle. The White House and a Trump advisor have yet to comment on the matter.
Settlement funds and corporate influence
As part of the settlement, US$22 million will reportedly go toward Trump’s presidential library fund, while the remaining amount will cover legal fees. This agreement highlights Trump’s continued influence over major corporations, particularly as he seeks another term in the White House.
Legal experts had viewed Trump’s case against Meta as weak, given that similar lawsuits against Twitter (now X) and Google were previously dismissed. The case against Meta had been inactive since 2023. However, with Trump now back in political prominence, tech leaders like Zuckerberg appear to be taking a more strategic approach in dealing with him compared to past years.
Other media settlements involving Trump
Trump initially filed a class action lawsuit against Meta in 2021, claiming damages for himself and others whose accounts were allegedly “wrongly restricted or curtailed.” Facebook had indefinitely suspended Trump’s account following the Capitol riot, with Zuckerberg stating at the time that Trump had used the platform to “undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden.” Facebook later reinstated his account.
This is not the first time Trump has reached a settlement with major media companies. ABC News recently settled a defamation lawsuit over anchor George Stephanopoulos’ mischaracterisation of a legal charge Trump was found liable for in the case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. Meanwhile, CBS’s parent company, Paramount, has reportedly considered settling a Trump lawsuit regarding an interview with his former political rival, Kamala Harris. According to reports, Paramount is keen to resolve the issue as Trump’s influence could complicate its planned merger with Skydance Media.
