
Meta has reached a $25 million settlement with President Donald Trump over the company’s decision to suspend his Facebook and Instagram accounts in 2021. The agreement, finalized Wednesday in California, ends a legal battle that began after Trump accused the social media giant of unfair censorship.
Trump was removed from Meta’s platforms following the Jan. 6 protests, with the company claiming his posts violated its policies. Initially banned indefinitely, his suspension was later set at two years. Trump’s lawsuit argued that the decision unfairly silenced conservatives and was politically motivated.
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
Under the terms of the settlement, $22 million will be placed in a fund supporting Trump’s presidential library, while the remaining $3 million will cover legal fees and other claimants. The Wall Street Journal first reported the details of the agreement.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met privately with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November 2024 after Trump’s election victory. The meeting reportedly included discussions on the lawsuit and the company’s approach to content moderation. Weeks later, Zuckerberg was present at Trump’s inauguration and co-hosted a high-profile reception in Washington.
In addition to settling the lawsuit, Meta has taken steps to improve its relationship with the Trump administration. The company contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee and made adjustments to its fact-checking policies.
Other media companies have also reached financial agreements with Trump. ABC News recently settled a separate defamation case by agreeing to a $15 million payment.