Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to receive €10 million in damages from Twitter, now known as X, following the suspension of his account in January 2021. The suspension occurred shortly after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, when the social media platform alleged that Trump had incited violence among protesters. The account remained suspended for nearly two years until it was reinstated in November 2022 under the leadership of Elon Musk.
Trump had initially pursued legal action against Twitter and its then-CEO Jack Dorsey over the suspension. Although the case was dismissed in its early stages, Trump filed an appeal in 2022. The legal proceedings eventually led to a settlement, with Trump’s legal team initially considering dropping the case without compensation but later negotiating a friendly resolution with X.
In addition to the Twitter settlement, Trump also received $25 million in damages from Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, after his Facebook account was suspended. Over the past year, major tech companies have been attempting to mend their relationships with Trump, who had invited several tech leaders to his inauguration ceremony. Notably, Elon Musk personally contributed $277 million to Trump’s presidential campaign, strengthening their relationship further.
This series of events highlights how major technology firms are reevaluating their past decisions and seeking to balance their positions with influential political figures. The settlements reflect a broader trend of technology companies striving to navigate the complexities of political engagement while maintaining their policies and reputations.
