In a landmark decision, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to a substantial $25 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. This agreement resolves a federal lawsuit that Trump’s legal team filed back in 2021. The suit charged Meta with infringing on Trump’s First Amendment rights after the company suspended his accounts in the aftermath of the January 6 riots at the Capitol.
Background of the Lawsuit
The controversy erupted when Trump was removed from Facebook and Instagram following the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021, which saw a mob storm the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. In response to the widespread violence and misinformation, Meta decided to suspend Trump’s accounts, citing concerns over inciting further violence. However, Trump and his legal team argued that this action constituted “impermissible censorship.”
Meta has now confirmed that of the $25 million settlement, approximately $22 million will be allocated to Trump’s presidential library, a gesture that adds a unique twist to this legal resolution. The announcement of this payout came as Mark Zuckerberg’s attorney, K. Winn Allen, informed a Northern California judge on January 29 that both parties had reached a mutual agreement. The opposing sides are expected to file a request for the dismissal of the lawsuit shortly.
An Unexpected Turn in Relations
This settlement marks a turning point in the relationship between Zuckerberg and Trump, which has often been marked by mutual suspicion and hostility. In a previously published book, Trump expressed concern over Zuckerberg’s substantial financial contributions to local electoral processes during the pandemic, stating that he was keeping a close watch on the tech magnate. Trump’s strong rhetoric even hinted at the possibility of criminal repercussions for Zuckerberg’s actions during the 2020 election period.
Interestingly, there has been a noticeable shift in Meta’s approach toward Trump in recent months. Zuckerberg’s company has made efforts to mend fences, as indicated by the recent decisions within Meta. Recently, the company dismantled its controversial fact-checking program that had met with backlash from Trump’s supporters. Moreover, Mark Zuckerberg has also promoted Republican lobbyist Joel Kaplan to head the company’s global affairs, signaling a strategic pivot toward more favorable relations with conservative figures.
The relationship has even extended into personal connections, as Meta has brought on board Dana White, a close ally of Trump, as a member of the company’s board of directors. This growing closeness between Trump and Meta can be viewed as part of Zuckerberg’s broader strategy to rehabilitate his image among Trump’s base.
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Legal Arguments and Implications
For some time, lawyers representing Meta fought vigorously against Trump’s lawsuit, labeling it as baseless. They asserted that Meta, as a private entity, adheres to different rules than government bodies when it comes to the First Amendment, which primarily guards citizens against government censorship. Despite this legal stance, Trump’s legal team claimed that Meta’s actions were influenced by pressure from political circles, suggesting that the company was acting on behalf of the government when it suspended the accounts.
Meta’s legal team countered this assertion, maintaining that Trump’s suspension was due to policy violations related to inciting violence rather than any external political influence. They emphasized that attributing a private company’s actions to government pressure based solely on a handful of congressional remarks did not hold water.
This settlement is part of a series of legal challenges Trump has faced in recent months. Just last December, ABC News settled for $15 million over a lawsuit regarding coverage of allegations made by E. Jean Carroll against Trump.
Through this $25 million settlement with Meta, Trump not only receives a financial boon but also achieves a significant victory in his ongoing campaign to challenge perceived censorship by Big Tech.
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