Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay around $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump over the suspension of his accounts. The settlement, reported by The Wall Street Journal, brings an end to the legal battle stemming from Trump’s ban following the January 6 Capitol riots.
Why Did Trump Sue Meta and Other Social Media Giants?
After the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Facebook suspended Trump’s accounts, citing posts that allegedly stoked violence and posed a threat to public safety. In June 2021, the company officially announced that the suspension would last at least two years. Twitter (now known as X) and YouTube also took similar actions, barring Trump from their platforms.
In 2021, Trump sued Facebook (Meta), Twitter, and YouTube, accusing them of violating his First Amendment rights through what he called “illegal and unconstitutional censorship.” The lawsuit was part of a larger effort by Trump to challenge the authority of social media companies to moderate content on their platforms.
He sought the following in the lawsuit:
- Restoration of his accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
- The overturning of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields social media platforms from liability for user-generated content.
- A court order preventing platforms from exercising censorship or imposing editorial control over his posts.
The Settlement Details
Under the terms of the settlement, Meta will pay $25 million, with the funds being allocated as follows:
- $22 million will be donated to a fund for Trump’s presidential library.
- The remainder will cover legal fees and go to other plaintiffs involved in the case.
This settlement effectively ends the legal dispute, but it does not alter the company’s content moderation policies or Trump’s standing on any platform.
Trump’s Return to Social Media
Despite the legal battle, Trump has since regained access to several platforms:
- Twitter/X: Trump was reinstated in 2022 after Elon Musk acquired the company and lifted the ban.
- Facebook: His account was restored in 2023, following Meta’s review of his suspension.
Trump’s reinstatement reflects changing leadership and policies within these platforms, though it remains unclear how often he will use them, given his continued reliance on Truth Social, the platform he launched after being banned.
The Role of Section 230 and Its Importance
A key aspect of Trump’s lawsuit was the attempt to overturn Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This law protects online platforms from being held legally responsible for content posted by their users, giving them the ability to moderate content as they see fit.
Critics argue that Section 230 gives too much power to social media companies, allowing them to suppress certain views without accountability. Trump and many of his supporters have long claimed that platforms like Facebook and Twitter unfairly target conservative voices under the guise of content moderation.
However, courts have consistently upheld Section 230, making Trump’s legal challenge unlikely to succeed.
Meta’s Role in Trump’s Past and Present
Interestingly, Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, have had a history of interaction with Trump:
- Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s 2017 inaugural fund.
- Zuckerberg personally attended Trump’s inauguration.
Despite their past cooperation, the relationship soured after Facebook’s decision to suspend Trump’s accounts. The recent settlement appears to be an effort by both sides to move past the contentious legal battle.
The $25 million settlement is a significant step in resolving Trump’s disputes with social media companies, but it doesn’t address the larger issue of content moderation and free speech online. Trump’s push to limit the power of tech giants over public discourse will likely continue, especially as he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election.
The settlement also highlights the complex and evolving relationship between politicians and social media platforms. With ongoing debates over Section 230 and calls for increased regulation of tech companies, the future of online speech and platform accountability remains uncertain.