YouTube Settles Trump Lawsuit for $24.5 Million
YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump and several co-plaintiffs over his suspension from the video-sharing platform in 2021.
Settlement Details
According to the court filing, $22 million will be directed to a tax-exempt entity known as the Trust for the National Mall, which will support Trump’s plans to build a White House State Ballroom. An additional $2.5 million will be divided among the other plaintiffs, which include the American Conservative Union, Naomi Wolf, Andrew Baggiani, Austen Fletcher, Maryse Veronica Jean-Louis, Frank Valentine, and Kelly Victory.
The stipulation of dismissal noted that the agreement “shall not constitute an admission of liability or fault” by YouTube or its parent company, Google, but was reached to avoid “the expenses and risks of further litigation.”
Broader Context
Trump’s lawsuit argued that YouTube’s indefinite suspension violated his right to free speech by blocking him from reaching millions of followers after the January 6 Capitol attack. The platform restored Trump’s channel more than two years later, citing the importance of allowing voters to hear from “major national candidates” ahead of elections.
This settlement follows a series of similar agreements between Trump and other tech giants. In January, Meta paid $25 million, with $22 million directed to Trump’s presidential library and $3 million to cover legal fees. In February, X (formerly Twitter) reached a reported $10 million settlement with the former president.
Why It Matters
The YouTube Trump lawsuit settlement is the latest example of Big Tech platforms opting to settle high-profile disputes with Trump rather than engage in extended legal battles. With 2024 election politics still shaping digital media, the settlement underscores the continuing tension between free speech, platform rules, and political influence online.
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