
Meta has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit over the company’s decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, protests at the U.S. Capitol. The agreement, finalized Wednesday in California, ends a long-running dispute between Trump and the tech giant.
Trump sued Meta after his Facebook and Instagram accounts were taken offline in 2021, with the company citing concerns about public safety. The ban was initially set indefinitely before being adjusted to a two-year suspension. Trump’s legal team argued that the move was politically motivated and part of a broader effort to censor conservative viewpoints.
Fork It Over, Zuck: Meta Agrees to Pay Donald Trump $25 Million for Suspending His Account https://t.co/U98xZpX5z3
— It’s Chinatown, Jake (@DetectiveJake1) January 30, 2025
The settlement directs $22 million to a fund supporting Trump’s future presidential library, while the remaining $3 million will cover legal costs and compensate others involved in the case. The Wall Street Journal first reported the details of the settlement.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in late 2024 following Trump’s reelection. The two reportedly discussed the lawsuit, among other topics. Zuckerberg later attended Trump’s inauguration and co-hosted a private reception during the event’s festivities.
Meta has recently made efforts to repair its standing with the new administration, including a $1 million contribution to Trump’s inaugural committee. The company also announced changes to its content moderation policies, scaling back its fact-checking practices.
The settlement follows similar agreements reached by major media companies with Trump in recent months. ABC News previously paid $15 million toward his presidential library to settle a separate legal dispute.