Meta has agreed to pay former President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit he filed in 2021, alleging wrongful censorship by Facebook and Instagram following the U.S. Capitol riot. The company will not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Settlement Details

According to The Wall Street Journal, $22 million of the settlement will fund Trump’s future presidential library, while the remaining $3 million will cover legal fees and payments to other plaintiffs. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the agreement to AFP.

Background

Trump had criticized social media platforms for suspending his accounts after the January 6, 2021, riot, arguing that his remarks were misinterpreted as endorsing violence. Despite past conflicts, he has recently engaged with tech leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk, both of whom attended his recent presidential inauguration in Washington.

Meta’s Position

Zuckerberg has expressed support for Trump and recently adjusted Meta’s policies to ease restrictions on some content across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. Earlier this month, he announced a rollback of Meta’s fact-checking operations, stating the company was "restoring free expression on our platforms."

Broader Media Trends

The settlement is part of a trend among media corporations preparing for a potential second Trump presidency. In December, ABC News paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit related to on-air comments about Trump.

On the financial front, Meta reported a 59% surge in net income for 2024, reaching $62.36 billion.

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