President Trump secured a $24.5 million settlement with YouTube following a long-running dispute over the suspension of his account after January 6, 2021. The settlement marks a major win in Trump’s broader legal battles against Big Tech platforms that removed him during his presidency.
Under the agreement, $22 million will be directed to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit tied to Trump’s planned “White House State Ballroom” project. The remaining $2.5 million will go to other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf.
YouTube did not admit wrongdoing and will not alter its policies as part of the settlement. Trump’s YouTube account was reinstated in 2023, but he pursued damages over the suspension, calling it an unlawful act of political censorship.
The case was the last of Trump’s lawsuits against major platforms to be resolved. Earlier this year, Meta settled with him for $25 million, while X (formerly Twitter) agreed to pay $10 million. The settlements represent a significant financial and symbolic victory for Trump in his fight against what he has described as collusion between Big Tech and political interests.
This outcome highlights the growing pressure on tech companies over content moderation policies, particularly when applied to elected officials. For Trump, it is both a legal win and a demonstration of his continued ability to challenge and hold Silicon Valley giants accountable.
