YouTube has agreed to pay $22 million to former U.S. President Donald Trump in a legal settlement over the suspension of his account. The lawsuit stemmed from YouTube’s decision to block Trump’s channel following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, citing concerns over the spread of violent content and incitement.
According to court filings on Monday, the settlement brings an end to a lengthy legal battle in which Trump accused the video-sharing platform of censorship and political bias. His legal team had argued that the suspension violated his right to free speech and unfairly silenced his voice during a crucial political period.
YouTube, owned by Google, initially defended its action as necessary to curb the risk of violence but has opted to resolve the case through financial settlement rather than continue prolonged litigation. While the company did not admit wrongdoing, the payout marks one of the largest settlements between a social media platform and a political figure in recent years.
The settlement underscores the growing tension between Big Tech companies and political leaders over issues of online speech, content moderation, and the boundaries of digital free expression.