YouTube has recently made headlines by agreeing to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump. This legal action arose after the platform suspended Trump’s account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.

In the aftermath, Trump accused various tech firms, including YouTube, of exhibiting political bias and censoring conservative voices. Notably, both Meta and Twitter/X previously settled lawsuits associated with the suspension of Trump’s accounts. Meta settled for $25 million, whereas X’s agreement amounted to $10 million.

Previously, these companies had expressed concerns that Trump’s posts could exacerbate tensions and incite violence. Following these events, all of Trump’s accounts across these platforms were restored.

In a display of triumph, Trump took to social media, sharing an AI-generated image depicting YouTube CEO Neal Mohan presenting him with a giant cheque for $24.5 million labeled “Settlement for Wrongful Suspension.” He celebrated this outcome as a significant victory, claiming it highlighted the consequences of Big Tech censorship.

YouTube, however, maintains that it does not admit to any wrongdoing under the terms of the settlement, nor will it implement policy changes following this agreement. Out of the total payout, $22 million will support the Trust for the National Mall, which aims to raise funds for the development of a new White House ballroom, while $2.5 million will be distributed to other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union.