Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to a $25 million settlement with US President Donald Trump, resolving a lawsuit he filed over the suspension of his social media accounts following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Al Jazeeraa reports.
The agreement marks a significant turn in the relationship between Trump and the tech giant, which once labeled his speech preceding the attack as inciting. According to reports, the settlement allocates $22 million to fund Trump’s presidential library, with the remaining $3 million earmarked for legal fees and other related litigation costs.
Trump’s lawsuit, initiated in July 2021, alleged that Meta, along with other tech platforms like Twitter (now X) and Google, had unlawfully censored conservative viewpoints by suspending his accounts and others. He argued he was wrongly silenced after attributing his 2020 election loss to widespread voter fraud, claims that fueled the Capitol insurrection.
However, a notable shift has occurred in recent months, with Trump actively engaging with tech leaders. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk both attended Trump’s presidential inauguration last week in Washington, D.C., with Zuckerberg among several billionaires granted prime seating.
These moves, alongside policy changes at Meta, indicate a softening of stance towards the former president. Zuckerberg has recently announced a rollback of fact-checking and moderation on Meta’s platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The company also ceased its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in January.
Further strengthening its ties with conservative figures, Meta appointed prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as its chief global affairs officer. Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close friend of Trump, has also been elected to Meta’s board.
Adding to the narrative of reconciliation, Meta made a $1 million contribution to Trump’s inaugural fund back in December, a significant departure from past practices.
The settlement comes as Meta reports booming financial results, with a net income soaring by 59 percent to $62.36 billion in 2024. The $25 million payout to Trump, while a substantial sum, represents a fraction of Meta’s recent gains.
