Washington DC: U.S. President Donald Trump has reached a $24.5 million settlement with YouTube, ending a high-profile lawsuit over the platform’s decision to suspend his account in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots in 2021.
According to newly unsealed court filings from a federal court in California, Google, which owns YouTube, agreed to the multi-million dollar settlement just days before a scheduled court hearing with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers. The deal brings an end to one of several legal battles Trump has launched against major tech platforms over alleged censorship and bias.
Where the Money Goes
Out of the $24.5 million total:
-
$22 million will be directed to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit focused on restoring and preserving landmarks in Washington, D.C.
-
The remaining $2.5 million will be divided among co-plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union, one of the nation’s most prominent right-leaning advocacy groups.
The court documents emphasize that the agreement does not represent an admission of guilt or wrongdoing by Google or YouTube. Google acknowledged the settlement but declined to provide any further comment.
Background: A Ban That Sparked a Legal Storm
YouTube suspended Trump’s account on January 12, 2021, citing concerns about the risk of inciting further violence following the storming of the U.S. Capitol just days earlier. The move was part of a broader crackdown by major tech companies, including Facebook and Twitter, aimed at limiting Trump’s online presence in the wake of the unrest.
Trump argued that the ban violated his right to free speech and unfairly silenced conservative voices. YouTube, like its peers, maintained that it acted in line with its community guidelines and terms of service.
Not the Only Tech Settlement
This resolution marks the third major settlement involving Trump and big tech platforms over his 2021 bans:
-
In January, Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) agreed to a $25 million settlement in a similar lawsuit.
-
Elon Musk’s X (previously Twitter) followed with a $10 million agreement to resolve claims related to Trump’s suspension.
These settlements suggest a broader effort among tech giants to close the chapter on the legal fallout from the January 6 attack and avoid prolonged court battles.
