- X agreed to pay $10 million to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump over his account suspension after the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots. The platform cited concerns that Trump’s posts could incite further violence.
- In November 2022, Elon Musk reinstated Trump’s account after an online poll, but the president has rarely used the platform since.
- The settlement follows a similar $25 million resolution with Meta and raises questions about social media policies and moderation of political content.
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President Donald Trump sued Twitter (now X), Meta and Google in July 2021, alleging wrongful censorship after the platforms suspended his accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
X, formerly known as Twitter, banned Trump two days after the riot, citing the risk of further incitement of violence. The company said Trump’s posts could encourage additional unrest, and its decision was based on how his messages were received and interpreted on and off the platform.
Trump’s lawsuit argued that Twitter and other tech firms wrongfully censored him, violating his free speech rights.
The legal battle continued for years, until a federal judge dismissed it in 2022. Trump’s legal team appealed the ruling, and the case remained open until a settlement was reached in early 2025.
What are the terms of the settlement?
According to sources familiar with the matter, X has agreed to settle the case for approximately $10 million. Court filings didn’t disclose the specific recipient of the funds.
Lawyers formally filed the settlement with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, Feb. 7. Both parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and cover their own legal costs.
A spokesperson for X did not respond to requests for comment.
How does this compare to Meta’s settlement?
Last month, Meta settled a similar lawsuit for $25 million, with $22 million earmarked for Trump’s presidential library. This was more than double the amount X agreed to pay.
Trump’s legal team is also reportedly pursuing a similar settlement with Google, which banned him from YouTube after Jan. 6.
What role does Elon Musk play?
Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in October 2022 and renamed it X, reinstated Trump’s account in November 2022 after conducting a user poll that showed support for his return.
Musk has since become a close adviser to Trump and now leads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. He has also donated over $250 million to support Trump’s election efforts.
Some Trump allies initially considered dropping the lawsuit, given Musk’s proximity to the president and financial support. However, the legal team ultimately moved forward with the settlement despite Musk and Trump’s close relationship.
What’s next?
With Trump’s lawsuits against Meta and X now resolved, legal experts said these settlements could set precedents for future cases involving social media content moderation and de-platforming policies.
Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team has not confirmed whether they will file a lawsuit against Google’s YouTube.
