Elon Musk’s X Reaches $10 Million Settlement with Trump Over January 6 Ban
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has reportedly agreed to pay former U.S. President Donald Trump approximately $10 million to settle a lawsuit related to his ban from the platform following the events of January 6, 2021. This settlement makes X the second major social media company to resolve a lawsuit filed by Trump over his suspension in the aftermath of the U.S. Capitol riot.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter, the settlement agreement was reached after discussions between Trump’s legal team and representatives from X, formerly known as Twitter. Trump had filed the lawsuit against Twitter and its former CEO, Jack Dorsey, in 2021, arguing that his removal from the platform was unjust and politically motivated.
The lawsuit stemmed from Trump’s continuous posting of false claims about voter fraud following his loss in the 2020 presidential election. These claims culminated in the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021, where Trump urged his supporters to protest the election results. The protest ultimately escalated into a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. As a result, Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account, citing the risk of further incitement to violence.
At the time, Twitter issued a statement explaining its decision: “After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them—specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter—we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”
Trump’s legal team initially sought to challenge the ban in court, claiming it violated his free speech rights. However, with Musk’s acquisition of the platform in late 2022, Trump’s stance on the lawsuit reportedly shifted. After taking control of Twitter and rebranding it as X, Musk reinstated Trump’s account in November 2022, as part of his broader efforts to make the platform a more open space for political discourse.
Despite Trump’s reinstatement on X, his legal team decided to move forward with the lawsuit, eventually reaching a settlement agreement. The decision was influenced by Trump’s ongoing concerns over how the ban affected his political influence and communication with his supporters. Although Trump’s team initially considered dropping the lawsuit due to Musk’s ownership, they ultimately opted for a financial settlement instead.
Trump’s case against X is not the only lawsuit he has filed against social media giants. In a similar case, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reportedly settled a lawsuit last month by agreeing to pay $25 million. According to The Wall Street Journal, Meta’s settlement terms included a $22 million contribution toward the non-profit organization slated to become Trump’s presidential library, while the remaining amount covered legal fees and compensation for other plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit.
Additionally, Trump’s legal team is expected to reach a settlement with Google, which had also banned him from YouTube in the wake of the Capitol riot. While the specifics of that potential agreement remain unclear, it follows a pattern of social media companies resolving disputes with Trump through financial settlements rather than prolonged court battles.
Beyond these legal battles, Musk has publicly shown support for Trump’s political endeavors. Reports indicate that Musk has spent approximately $250 million to aid Trump’s re-election efforts. This financial backing has fueled speculation about Musk’s potential influence on Trump’s campaign and policy positions.
Trump’s return to X has been met with mixed reactions. While some of his supporters view it as a victory for free speech, critics argue that reinstating his account could further spread misinformation and contribute to political divisiveness. Trump, however, has yet to fully return to the platform, as he continues to prioritize his own social media venture, Truth Social, which was launched after his bans from mainstream platforms.
As X settles Trump’s lawsuit, the case underscores the ongoing legal and political battles surrounding social media regulations and the role of tech companies in moderating political content. With Trump actively campaigning for the 2024 presidential election, his presence on major social media platforms, including X, could play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and voter engagement.
In the broader context, these settlements highlight the complex relationship between social media platforms and political figures. As platforms like X, Meta, and Google navigate these legal challenges, the debate over content moderation, digital free speech, and platform accountability continues to evolve. The outcomes of these legal disputes may set important precedents for how social media companies handle the accounts of high-profile political figures in the future.
With X’s $10 million settlement now finalized, attention will likely shift to the pending legal discussions with Google and any potential further actions Trump may take against other platforms. Meanwhile, Musk’s influence over X’s content policies remains a subject of debate as the platform continues to shape the political landscape in the lead-up to the next U.S. presidential election.
