Tech Platforms and a High‑Profile Settlement

YouTube is owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google. YouTube agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit by Donald Trump. He sued after his account was suspended following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Twenty-two million dollars will go to the Trust for the National Mall to help build a White House State Ballroom. The remaining $2.5 million will be shared with other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf. YouTube did not admit wrongdoing. Meta and X settled similar lawsuits earlier in 2025. YouTube said the settlement does not change its rules or products. Trump’s YouTube account was reinstated in 2023.