YouTube has agreed to pay $22 million to settle a lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump after the company suspended his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, according to a court filing. The Google-owned platform is the latest major tech company to resolve legal disputes with Trump over his removal from social media. Under the settlement, the funds will go toward Trump’s construction plans for a new State Ballroom at the White House through the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall. Additionally, YouTube will pay $2.5 million to several Trump allies, including the American Conservative Union.
Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, declaring the settlement a “MASSIVE victory” that showed Big Tech censorship had consequences. His account was originally suspended on January 12, 2021, after YouTube cited fears that he might incite more violence by continuing to promote false claims of election fraud. Similar actions had been taken by Facebook and Twitter at the time, which also blocked Trump in the wake of the Capitol riot that injured more than 140 police officers.
The lawsuit filed by Trump in 2021 alleged that YouTube had unfairly censored him by applying vague and shifting content standards. His legal team claimed his removal violated his right to free speech, though experts widely doubted the merits of the case. YouTube countered that it is not a government entity and therefore not subject to First Amendment restrictions, defending its right to enforce content moderation policies.
The settlement drew criticism from some media watchdogs. Media Matters called YouTube’s decision “shameful and shortsighted,” warning it could embolden Trump to pressure platforms into compliance with his political agenda. However, several tech and media companies have chosen to settle cases with Trump, especially after his return to office, as they weigh broader regulatory and business challenges from the Washington administration.
YouTube’s settlement follows a pattern of similar agreements. Earlier in 2025, Elon Musk’s X resolved a Trump lawsuit with a $10 million payment, while Meta agreed to pay $25 million in January, with much of it earmarked for Trump’s future presidential library. Paramount Global also settled for $16 million over a dispute tied to an interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris. Experts say these deals highlight companies’ willingness to avoid prolonged battles, even in cases where Trump’s legal arguments may be weak.
