YouTube has agreed to pay $22 million to settle a lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The settlement, disclosed in a California federal court filing on Monday, marks another major Big Tech concession to Trump since his return to office.
The video-sharing platform, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, suspended Trump in January 2021 citing “the ongoing potential for violence,” aligning with similar moves by Facebook and Twitter. Trump, who was blocked after repeatedly making false claims of election fraud, argued in court that his removal was based on “vague and shifting standards.”
According to the settlement, $22 million will be directed through the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall to support construction of a new State Ballroom at the White House. YouTube also agreed to pay an additional $2.5 million to several conservative allies of Trump, including the American Conservative Union.
Celebrating the development, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform:
“This MASSIVE victory proves Big Tech censorship has consequences. We fought for free speech and WON!”
More than 140 police officers were injured in the January 6 clashes when pro-Trump supporters stormed Congress to prevent certification of Joe Biden’s victory. Trump has since pursued multiple lawsuits against tech and media companies, claiming unlawful censorship.
While many legal experts maintain that the First Amendment does not apply to private companies like YouTube, several firms have nonetheless opted for settlements. Earlier this year, Meta agreed to pay $25 million – $22 million of which was earmarked for Trump’s presidential library project while Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) settled a separate case for $10 million. Paramount Global also paid $16 million to end Trump’s lawsuit over a televised interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Critics, however, warn that these payouts may embolden Trump’s efforts to intimidate media platforms. Media Matters president Angelo Carusone described YouTube’s move as “shameful and shortsighted,” arguing it sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom and online expression.
Meanwhile, Alphabet faces bigger battles ahead, including a federal antitrust trial in Virginia that could potentially force the breakup of its online advertising business.
Advertisement
