Meta to pay Trump $25 million over Facebook ban

Meta Platforms has agreed to pay former President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit concerning his suspension from Facebook following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The settlement allocates $22 million for Trump's future presidential library and $3 million for legal fees and other plaintiffs involved in the case. Trump's account was suspended due to violations of Facebook's policies against inciting violence, prompting him to argue that he was a victim of censorship. The lawsuit had seen little activity until Zuckerberg's visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, which reignited settlement discussions. Meta does not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement, and similar bans were also implemented by other social media platforms during that period. This settlement reflects ongoing tensions between Trump and major tech companies, which have faced scrutiny over their content moderation practices.