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Elon Musk’s X Settles Lawsuit with Donald Trump for $10 Million
In a notable development, Elon Musk’s platform X has reached a settlement with former President Donald Trump, agreeing to pay approximately $10 million to resolve a lawsuit initiated by Trump against Twitter, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This settlement follows an estimated investment of $250 million that Musk directed toward supporting Trump’s electoral campaign in the previous year.
The legal tussle began when Trump filed lawsuits against major social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Google, following the suspension of his accounts in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Despite Trump’s attempts to argue that these companies acted as state actors and challenged the constitutionality of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2022, rejecting these claims.
Adding to Trump’s recent legal landscape, ABC News previously settled a defamation lawsuit with him for $15 million. Moreover, it was reported last month by The Wall Street Journal that Paramount Global was contemplating a settlement regarding Trump’s substantial $10 billion lawsuit related to the editing of an interview featuring Vice President Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes.
Implications of the Settlement
The settlement between Musk’s X and Trump not only highlights the intersection of social media and politics but also raises questions about the accountability of tech platforms and their roles in moderating content. As public discourse increasingly takes place online, the legal implications of such cases may set precedents for how future disputes between political figures and social media companies are handled.
Broader Context
As Trump continues to navigate various legal challenges, the outcomes of these cases could significantly impact his political trajectory, especially considering his ongoing influence within the Republican Party. The financial implications of settlements like these may also influence how media entities approach their interactions with public figures moving forward.
Source
www.theverge.com