Donald Trump is set to receive a significant payout from a lawsuit against YouTube, following the suspension of his account after the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuit, which also includes plaintiffs such as the American Conservative Union and other individuals, has resulted in a $24.5 million settlement from YouTube. Of this amount, Trump will receive $22 million, while the remaining $2.5 million will be allocated to other plaintiffs. The funds will be placed in an entity called the Trust for the National Mall, which is tax-exempt. Trump, known for his extravagant taste, has already outlined his plans for the settlement money. He intends to use a portion of it toward his White House Ballroom project, a lavish undertaking estimated to cost $200 million.
This settlement is just one of several that Trump has secured following the suspension of his accounts from major social media platforms. Earlier in 2025, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, agreed to a $22 million donation to Trump’s presidential library and a $3 million payment for legal fees. Additionally, in February 2025, X, owned by Elon Musk, reportedly settled with Trump for $10 million. Despite these payouts, the $22 million from YouTube will be a relatively small contribution to Trump’s ongoing projects, including the controversial ballroom construction.