After Facebook bans Donald Trump's account in 2021, Mark Zuckerberg gives him $25 million
Meta CEO reaches $25 million settlement with US President Donald Trump after his Facebook account was shut down following the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
It is noteworthy that this agreement puts an end to the lawsuit that the president had filed against Meta, considering that blocking his account was a violation of freedom of expression.
The deal with Meta and Mark Zuckerberg adds to the governor's strategy of filing lawsuits, often for defamation or censorship, with the aim of pressuring companies to reach out-of-court settlements that include large payouts.
Trump has also recently filed multiple lawsuits against companies such as ABC News and CBS, seeking large damages for what he sees as attacks on his image or interference in his political life.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that $22 million of the $25 million Meta is paying will go toward funding a presidential library. These types of projects are common among former US presidents, who need to create space to store their official documents, memorabilia, and other items related to their political legacy.
This financial compensation appears to further bolster Trump's strategy of leveraging his public image and legal claims to generate funds that he then allocates to this type of personal project.
What appears to be a calculated move by Meta's CEO to end the dispute is actually a response not only to media pressure but also to a clear intention to return to the good graces of the new management.
With Donald Trump back in power, it has become clear that business interests, including Mark Zuckerberg’s, need to align with the president’s interests to avoid future legal and political complications.
This agreement sets an important precedent for the relationship between social media and government under this administration. It opens the door to similar lawsuits and settlements in the future, which could have a significant impact on how platforms manage political content.