Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has reached a $10 million settlement with former President Donald Trump over a lawsuit related to Trump’s suspension from Twitter, now known as X. The agreement was confirmed during a recent interview where Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the settlement amount, indicating he had hoped for a larger payout. This development comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump’s social media presence following the January 6 Capitol riots.
During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump remarked that the settlement was "very low" and that he was aiming for a significantly higher figure. Musk, who sat beside Trump during the discussion, appeared surprised when asked about the settlement and stated that he had left the matter to his legal team.
The lawsuit originated after Twitter banned Trump from its platform, citing concerns over potential violence in the wake of the Capitol riots. Trump responded by suing the social media company, alleging censorship. However, a U.S. District Judge in California dismissed the case, ruling that only government entities could infringe on an individual’s First Amendment rights. An appeal to a federal appeals court also indicated skepticism toward Trump’s claims.
Despite the legal setbacks, Trump’s team continued to pursue the case long after Musk acquired Twitter in 2022. The relationship between Musk and Trump has since evolved, with Musk becoming a significant supporter of Trump’s political endeavors, including donating to his campaign.
The settlement with Musk follows another recent agreement in which Meta Platforms, Inc. agreed to pay Trump $25 million to settle litigation regarding his suspensions from Facebook and Instagram. Trump has also initiated legal action against Google for banning him from YouTube, which remains unresolved.
Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has been notable, particularly as he was appointed to lead federal cost-cutting initiatives. This role has granted him substantial authority to implement drastic reductions in government spending and even pursue the dismantling of certain federal agencies, leading to various legal challenges.
Following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, he reinstated Trump’s account, a decision that has drawn considerable attention given the political climate surrounding social media and free speech. The legal landscape continues to shift as Trump navigates his post-presidency relationship with major tech platforms.