Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has agreed to pay former President Donald Trump $10 million to resolve a lawsuit stemming from the company’s decision to ban him in 2021, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal . The settlement marks the end of a legal dispute that originated during Twitter’s previous ownership under Jack Dorsey.
The lawsuit challenged Twitter’s controversial move to permanently suspend Trump’s account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which was fueled by his supporters attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. At the time, Twitter cited the risk of further incitement of violence as the reason for the ban.
Despite Elon Musk’s reinstatement of Trump’s account in 2022 and the growing rapport between the two figures, the lawsuit proceeded to settlement. Sources close to Trump reportedly debated dropping the case due to Musk’s strong support for the former president, including a $250 million contribution to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Earlier this week, Musk joined Trump for a joint press briefing at the Oval Office, underscoring their alliance.
However, Trump opted to move forward with the settlement, securing the $10 million payout. This resolution comes on the heels of Meta’s $25 million settlement in a similar lawsuit related to Trump’s suspension from Facebook and Instagram.
The settlement highlights ongoing tensions surrounding free speech, accountability, and the role of social media platforms in regulating political discourse. While Musk has positioned X as a bastion of free expression since acquiring the platform, the lawsuit underscores the lingering legal and financial implications of decisions made under previous leadership.
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