WASHINGTON — Video-sharing giant YouTube has agreed to pay a $24.5 million settlement to U.S. President Donald Trump, becoming the latest tech platform to resolve legal disputes stemming from his post-Capitol Hill suspension.
The lawsuit dates back to January 6, 2021, when Trump’s account was suspended following the attack on Capitol Hill. According to international media reports, as part of the settlement, YouTube’s parent company Alphabet will contribute $22 million to the “Trust for the National Mall,” a nonprofit currently raising $200 million for the construction of a new White House ballroom.
In addition, $2.5 million will be distributed among other plaintiffs in the case, including the American Conservative Union.
This agreement follows a series of settlements between Trump and other major social media platforms. In January, Meta the parent company of Facebook paid $25 million, while X (formerly Twitter) reached a $10 million deal just a month later.
Trump has long accused Silicon Valley giants of silencing conservative voices and displaying political bias. However, with these settlements and the restoration of his accounts, relations between the former adversaries appear to be on a path toward reconciliation.
