Meta Settles Trump Defamation Case with $25 Million Agreement
Meta settles Trump’s 2021 defamation lawsuit for $25M, with $22M going to his campaign. The lawsuit followed his 2020 election social media ban.
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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reached a $25 million settlement with former U.S. President Donald Trump, resolving a defamation lawsuit he filed in 2021. The settlement, confirmed by a Meta spokesperson, includes a $22 million payment directed toward Trump's presidential campaign, with the remaining amount allocated as part of the agreement.
The lawsuit was initiated by Trump following the suspension of his social media accounts during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. He alleged that Facebook and other platforms had interfered with the electoral process, leading to his legal action. On January 6, 2021, he formally accused social media companies of attempting to undermine his re-election bid by restricting his online presence.
In addition to his lawsuit against Meta, Trump has pursued legal action against multiple media organizations and tech companies, alleging defamation. ABC News was among the outlets sued, with Trump claiming that its reporting on the Jean Carroll case had damaged his reputation. As part of the resolution, ABC News paid $15 billion in damages and an additional $1 million in legal fees.
Similar lawsuits were filed against CBS News and The Des Moines Register, where Trump accused the media organizations of misrepresenting his campaign. Both entities have denied any wrongdoing in response to the allegations.
