YouTube Pays $22 Million to Settle Trump Lawsuit
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YouTube Settles Trump Account Suspension Lawsuit for $22 Million
YouTube will pay $22 million to resolve legal proceedings initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump following the suspension of his account. The suspension occurred after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to a court document filed on Monday, September 9, 2024.
What Happened: the Account Suspension and Lawsuit
Donald Trump’s YouTube account was suspended indefinitely on January 13, 2021, one week after the attack on the U.S. Capitol. YouTube, owned by Google, cited concerns about the incitement of violence as the reason for the suspension, aligning with similar actions taken by other social media platforms like Twitter (now X) and Facebook. Reuters reported on the initial suspension, detailing YouTube’s policy enforcement.
Trump subsequently filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida in August 2023, alleging censorship and a violation of his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit argued that YouTube had unfairly discriminated against him based on his political views. NBC news covered the filing, noting Trump’s claims of political bias.