President Donald Trump signed a settlement agreement at the White House on Wednesday, effectively ending his lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The lawsuit stemmed from Meta’s decision to suspend Trump’s accounts following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to a source familiar with the matter, the agreement requires Meta to pay approximately $25 million, with $22 million allocated to a fund for Trump’s upcoming presidential library. The remaining $3 million will cover attorneys’ fees and other plaintiffs involved in the case.
The settlement marks a significant shift in the relationship between Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has sought to align himself with the former president since Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. Zuckerberg donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and attended the event, sitting alongside Cabinet members. Additionally, Meta has relaxed its content moderation policies on its platforms, moving away from partnerships with third-party fact-checking organizations and adopting a system similar to X’s “community notes,” which relies on user-generated content to flag misinformation.
The two men reportedly discussed the lawsuit during a meeting at Trump’s club in November 2023, shortly after the election. The Wall Street Journal first reported the settlement, though both Meta and the White House have declined to comment on the matter. This resolution represents a stark contrast to the animosity that once defined their relationship. In a book published earlier in 2023, Trump had even threatened to send Zuckerberg to prison, accusing the CEO and his platforms of undermining his political efforts.
Meta’s shift toward Trump’s vision for social media
In recent months, Meta has taken several steps that align with Trump’s broader vision for American businesses and social media platforms. Earlier in January, the company announced it would discontinue its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, joining a growing list of corporations scaling back such initiatives amid pressure from conservative critics and customers. Trump has long been a vocal opponent of DEI programs, framing them as divisive and unnecessary.
Meta has also made strategic personnel changes that reflect its alignment with Trump’s interests. The company appointed Dana White, a prominent Trump ally and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to its board of directors. This move followed the promotion of Joel Kaplan, Meta’s most prominent Republican leader, to the role of top policy executive. These appointments signal a deliberate effort to strengthen ties with conservative leaders and stakeholders.
Furthermore, Meta has overhauled its content moderation policies on Facebook and Instagram. The company terminated its partnerships with third-party fact-checking organizations in the United States, replacing them with user-generated “community notes” and reducing its reliance on automated moderation systems. These changes address long-standing complaints from conservative critics, including Trump, who have accused social media platforms of censorship and bias against right-leaning voices.
The settlement and Meta’s recent policy shifts underscore the evolving dynamics between Trump and one of the world’s most influential tech companies. As Trump prepares for another presidential run, his relationship with Meta could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of social media and its role in American politics.
