Elon Musk’s social media platform X has agreed to settle a lawsuit with former US President Donald Trump, related to his 2021 ban from Twitter. The lawsuit was filed after Trump was banned from the platform following the violent Capitol riot on 6 January 2021.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, X has agreed to pay Trump approximately USD 10 million to settle the lawsuit. The lawsuit had contested the ban imposed by Twitter and its then-CEO, Jack Dorsey.
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Background of incident
The infamous January 6 insurrection saw more than 140 police officers injured during violent clashes with pro-Trump rioters. Many social media platforms, including Twitter, took action against Trump at the time, citing concerns that his posts could incite further violence. Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results were a major factor in the suspension.
Elon Musk later acquired Twitter, renaming it X, and reinstated Trump’s account. Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, also appointed him to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
Meta settlement over similar lawsuit
In January, Meta (formerly Facebook) agreed to pay Trump USD 25 million to settle a similar lawsuit over his suspension from Facebook and Instagram following the Capitol riot. However, Meta did not admit wrongdoing in its settlement.
Trump had long criticised social media companies for suspending his accounts following the January 6 riot and his controversial comments praising those involved in the violence. Upon taking office, Trump also pardoned over 1,500 supporters who had stormed the Capitol in an effort to overturn the election results.
Agency
Published: 13 Feb 2025, 07:43 am IST
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