Meta has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit he filed in 2021.
The lawsuit claimed he was wrongfully censored by Facebook and Instagram following the U.S. Capitol riot. 
The company confirmed the settlement on Wednesday, marking a significant resolution for Trump.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, the payment breakdown reveals that $22 million will be allocated to fund Trump’s future presidential library.
The remaining $3 million will go towards covering legal fees and payments to other plaintiffs involved in the case.
However, Meta has made it clear that they will not admit to any wrongdoing regarding the suspension of Trump’s accounts.
Trump had been vocal about his frustrations with social media platforms, especially after they suspended his accounts in the wake of the January 6th insurrection.
He had been accused of making comments that appeared to praise the rioters.
Despite his criticisms, Trump has since rekindled relationships with tech moguls, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
In fact, Zuckerberg has expressed support for Trump and has adjusted Meta’s policies to allow more free expression across its platforms.
“We will be restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg stated earlier this month, signaling a rollback of some fact-checking operations.
The settlement highlights the ongoing tension between media corporations and political figures as the nation prepares for another presidential election.
In December, Trump also won a $15 million settlement from ABC News after a defamation lawsuit.
Moreover, this Meta settlement reflects the growing trend of media companies resolving legal disputes with Trump as his potential second term looms closer.
This resolution appears to be a necessary step forward for all parties involved, allowing Meta to avoid further public disputes and legal battles.
At the same time, it signals the importance of ensuring fairness on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
For Trump, this settlement can be seen as a strategic victory, enabling him to focus on his political career rather than prolonging contentious legal issues.
By coming to an agreement, both Meta and Trump can move past the negative attention generated by the legal dispute.
