YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump concerning his suspension from social media platforms following the January 6, 2021, insurrection.

The settlement includes funds allocated to other plaintiffs such as the American Conservative Union and Naomi Wolf, with some funds designated for charitable causes like the Trust for the National Mall.

YouTube's parent company, Google, did not admit fault or agree to change its policies, and the settlement explicitly states it does not admit liability.

Google avoided a trial by settling, and the case was resolved without any admission of wrongdoing, with the settlement announced just before a scheduled court hearing on October 6 in Oakland, California.

Legal experts have emphasized that the case does not establish fault by YouTube or Google, and the settlement reflects a broader industry trend of resolving disputes without admitting liability.

The story is ongoing, with updates expected as new information emerges, highlighting the continuing legal and political debates surrounding social media censorship and accountability.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the settlement, and YouTube has not issued an immediate comment on the case.

The settlement does not cover attorney fees and is seen as a strategic move by Google to avoid prolonged legal conflicts amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny, including a federal antitrust case.

This case marks a significant legal development in the ongoing disputes over political content, censorship, and the accountability of social media platforms.

The disclosure of the settlement came just a week before a court hearing scheduled for October 6 before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers, in Oakland, California.

Legal experts have argued that Trump’s claims against YouTube and other platforms are weak, emphasizing that private companies have the right to regulate content on their platforms.

The settlement underscores ongoing legal and regulatory challenges faced by social media companies regarding political content and user bans, with some experts predicting Trump’s chances of success in these lawsuits are slim.