Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to a $25 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. The agreement resolves a lawsuit Trump filed in 2021 after Facebook suspended his accounts following the January 6 Capitol riots. The suspension came as part of Facebook's response to what it termed as risks of violence, a decision led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The suspension of Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts was initially indefinite. Facebook later reduced the penalty to a two-year suspension. Trump's lawsuit was one of several he initiated against social media platforms in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection. He argued that these companies needed to be held accountable for what he perceived as censorship.
"They shouldn't be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing, and ultimately, we will win. Our Country can't take this abuse anymore!" – Donald Trump
Settlement discussions began in November 2022, following a dinner between Zuckerberg and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Reports suggest that before any formal agreement, there was pressure to resolve the lawsuit to facilitate Zuckerberg's inclusion into what was described as "the tent" by the president.
Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly improved his standing with Trump. Part of this newfound rapport might be attributed to past gestures, such as hosting a black-tie event during Trump's inaugural celebrations. The Wall Street Journal reported that $22 million of the settlement will fund Trump's presidential library, marking a significant allocation of the total amount.
Zuckerberg, reflecting on the resolution, stated that it's time for Meta to "get back to our roots," indicating a potential shift in focus or strategy for the company moving forward.
"it's time to get back to our roots" – Mark Zuckerberg
In addition to the Facebook case, a federal judge dismissed Trump's lawsuit against Twitter, while YouTube and Twitter restored Trump's access to their platforms. These developments mark a turning point in Trump's contentious relationship with social media giants following the events of January 6.