Key highlights:

• Meta has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $25 million as part of a settlement over lawsuits filed following his account suspensions.
• The settlement concludes Trump's claims of wrongful censorship linked to his Facebook and Instagram accounts after the January 6 Capitol riot.
• Approximately $22 million of the payment will support Trump's presidential library, while the remainder will cover legal expenses.
• This marks a significant turnaround in the relationship between Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, amid accusations of political favoritism.

Meta Platforms has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a federal lawsuit he filed after the company suspended his Facebook and Instagram accounts in the wake of the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. This settlement, which represents a significant legal victory for Trump, involves a payout that is expected to direct approximately $22 million to his upcoming presidential library, while the remaining funds will address legal fees and associated payouts to other plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit, as reported by Le Monde and The Hill.

The settlement resolves allegations that Meta, under the direction of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, engaged in impermissible censorship against Trump, who claimed that the social media platforms improperly restricted his expression. Meta has not admitted any wrongdoing in this case, although a spokesperson confirmed the agreement's existence to various news outlets.

Earlier in January, Zuckerberg heralded a renewed relationship with the U.S. government and emphasized his optimism surrounding American businesses and technological advancement during a Meta earnings call. This development follows Trump's increasing cordiality towards Zuckerberg, who faced accusations from Trump in the past concerning censorship and bias against conservative voices. In prior communications, Trump had harshly criticized Zuckerberg's actions and even suggested harsh repercussions for the CEO.

Additionally, the timing of this settlement coincides with Meta's recent decisions to repeal its fact-checking program, a move that many observers contend is an effort to reconcile with Trump and the right-leaning faction of the political arena, especially as the 2024 presidential race approaches. In December 2024, ABC also settled a lawsuit with Trump for $15 million, further illustrating the ongoing legal and financial repercussions stemming from Trump’s political entanglements.

As the situation continues to evolve, it remains essential to monitor the implications of this settlement on broader media relations and potential future actions by Trump, who is anticipated to leverage these financial gains toward his political endeavors.

For more details, visit the source articles on Business Insider and Forbes.