Skip to main content

Big Tech Pays Up: Trump Wins Again.

 By   Justin Kirangacha  | The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025.

The Deal That Shook Silicon Valley

In a landmark settlement announced on September 29, 2025, YouTube agreed to pay $24.5 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from YouTube's decision to suspend Trump's account following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This settlement marks the third major payout from a tech giant to Trump over post-presidency account suspensions, following similar agreements with Meta ($25 million) and Twitter (now X) ($10 million).


Where the Money Goes

The settlement allocates $22 million to a trust supporting the construction of a new White House State Ballroom, a project championed by Trump. An additional $2.5 million will be distributed among other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf. Notably, YouTube did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

The Legal Battle's Endgame

This settlement effectively concludes Trump's series of lawsuits against major tech companies, which he accused of suppressing conservative viewpoints. Despite initial skepticism from legal experts about the viability of his claims, Trump has secured favorable outcomes in these cases. The settlements have been seen by some as a reflection of shifting dynamics in the tech industry, particularly following Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and changes in moderation policies across platforms.

The Bigger Picture

While the $24.5 million settlement is a significant sum, it represents a small fraction of YouTube's parent company Alphabet's nearly $3 trillion valuation. However, the settlement carries symbolic weight, highlighting ongoing debates over content moderation, free speech, and the influence of tech companies on public discourse. As the media landscape continues to evolve, this case serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between technology, politics, and the law.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Utah Man, 22, Charged in Killing of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk

  By Kiranagacha Mwaniki - The Common Pulse - Orem, Utah ;  September 13, 2025 The bustling quad of Utah Valley University was supposed to be a stage for debate and free expression. Instead, it became the scene of political violence that has shocked the nation. Charlie Kirk, 31, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 while addressing students at a “Prove Me Wrong” debate. Authorities say the shots came from a nearby rooftop, fired by a young man who had quietly prepared for weeks. On Friday, Utah County officials announced that Tyler James Robinson, 22 , had been taken into custody and charged in connection with Kirk’s killing. He is being held without bail at the Utah County Jail. From Apprentice to Accused Killer Robinson grew up in Washington County, Utah, in what neighbors describe as a quiet household. He worked as an electrical apprentice and once attended Utah State University for a semester in 2021. “He was always ...

Former Miss Universe Contestant Tyra Spaulding of Jamaica Found Dead at 26

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / September 2025    The global pageantry community has been shaken by tragic news coming out of Jamaica. Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe contestant who proudly represented her country on the international stage, has been confirmed dead at the tender age of 26. Her untimely death has sent shockwaves not only through the Caribbean but across the wider world of fashion, beauty, and culture, where she was regarded as one of the rising stars. For a nation that holds its beauty queens close to the heart, the loss is both personal and symbolic. It raises questions about the pressures faced by women in pageantry, the expectations placed on young public figures, and the fragility of life itself. The Rise of Tyra Spaulding in the World of Beauty and Pageantry Tyra Spaulding’s journey into the world of glamour and pageantry began like many others, through small modeling gigs, local com...

No Exit: Biya’s Return, Democracy’s Decline

By Kirangacha Mwaniki The Common Pulse | August 2025 At 92 years old, Cameroonian President Paul Biya has signaled his intention to run for yet another term in the 2025 presidential election. Having ruled since 1982, Biya is now the second-longest-serving head of state in the world;  after Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang. His decision has sparked outrage, resignation, and confusion among Cameroonians, many of whom have never known another leader. This re-election bid is more than just a political event;  it is a glaring symptom of a system that has resisted reform, ignored generational change, and weaponized fear to maintain the status quo. The Man Who Time Forgot Paul Biya came to power before most Cameroonians were born. He has led through the Cold War, the rise of mobile phones, the internet revolution, and the African Continental Free Trade Area — all while aging behind the walls of Etoudi Palace. He is rarely seen in public, often ruling from abroad;  mostly Swit...