Category: social media

YouTube pays Trump $24.5M to settle lawsuit over channel suspension

**YouTube Pays Donald Trump $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over Channel Suspension**

*By Mudit Dube | September 30, 2025, 11:25 AM*

YouTube has agreed to pay former U.S. President Donald Trump $24.5 million, settling a lawsuit he filed in 2021. The legal action alleged that the platform wrongfully suspended his channel following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This settlement is the latest in a series of multimillion-dollar agreements between Trump and major tech companies over decisions related to his social media accounts.

### Details of the Lawsuit

Trump’s lawsuit accused YouTube and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai of engaging in “impermissible censorship.” He argued that the platform holds “an unprecedented concentration of power, market share, and ability to dictate our nation’s public discourse.” Trump claimed that suspending his channel violated his First Amendment rights and sought damages in the trillions for what he described as censorship.

### YouTube’s Response and Channel Suspension

YouTube justified its decision to suspend Trump’s channel by citing violations of its policies against inciting violence. On January 12, 2021, the platform initially suspended the channel for seven days after Trump posted a video defending his speech to supporters before the Capitol riot as “totally appropriate.” This suspension was later extended indefinitely due to ongoing concerns regarding potential violence.

### Policy Shifts and Channel Reinstatement

In a recent policy update, YouTube announced that it would reinstate creators who were previously banned for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The company emphasized its support for diverse conservative voices on the platform.

Following a thorough review of real-world violence risks, YouTube reinstated Trump’s channel in March 2023. The company highlighted the importance of giving voters access to content from all major national candidates ahead of elections.

### Trump’s Other Settlements with Media and Tech Giants

YouTube is not the only major company to reach a settlement with Trump over account suspensions and content restrictions. Previously, ABC and CBS parent company Paramount settled with Trump while seeking Federal Communications Commission approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance. The merger was approved shortly after the settlement.

In addition, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, settled a lawsuit with Trump in January 2025 for $25 million. Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) paid $10 million to settle another lawsuit with Trump earlier in February.

—

This latest settlement underscores the ongoing tension between major social media platforms and high-profile political figures regarding content moderation and free speech on digital platforms.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/youtube-pays-24-5m-to-settle-trump-lawsuit-over-account-suspension/story

Three Anti-ICE Influencers Indicted After Stalking, Doxing Agent in Los Angeles [WATCH]

A federal grand jury has indicted three women accused of following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent to his home and posting his address on Instagram. The Justice Department announced Friday that Cynthia Raygoza, 37, Ashleigh Brown, 38, and Sandra Carmona Samane, 25, were charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent.

According to investigators, the incident occurred on August 28 after the women encountered the agent at the Civic Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Prosecutors said they began livestreaming on Instagram accounts including ice_out_of_la, defendmesoamericanculture, and corn_maiden_design. As the agent drove home, the women allegedly followed him in a black sedan driven by Raygoza.

When he arrived at his residence, the women began shouting to neighbors and livestream viewers, identifying him as an ICE officer. “Your neighbor is ICE,” one of them said. Others shouted, “La migra lives here,” and “ICE lives on your street and you should know.” They concluded by announcing the agent’s address and encouraging viewers to come on down. The footage was later deleted from the Instagram accounts.

Brown and Samane were arrested earlier on federal complaints. Brown is being held without bond, in part because she faces a separate charge for assault on a federal officer. Samane was released on a $5,000 bond. Raygoza remains at large.

Acting U.S. Attorney for Southern California Bill Essayli condemned the incident. “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe,” he said. “The conduct of these defendants is deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.”

The indictment follows a string of recent attacks against ICE. Just days earlier, a gunman killed one and critically injured two others at an immigration facility in Dallas, Texas. Anti-ICE activists also disrupted court proceedings in Los Angeles when the charges were first announced.

The arrests come as California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty. The measure, introduced in response to ICE officers wearing face coverings during Los Angeles immigration raids, is the first of its kind in the nation.

Law enforcement groups have strongly opposed the ban, saying it exposes federal agents to retaliation. Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for public affairs, called the law “despicable” and a “flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.” She added that Newsom’s rhetoric had contributed to a 1,000 percent increase in attacks on federal agents and accused him of acting as a sanctuary politician who placed officers at risk of being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers.

Essayli also criticized the measure, stating on X that California has no authority to regulate federal law enforcement. “If Newsom wants to regulate our agents, he must go through Congress,” he wrote.

The California State Sheriffs Association, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, and the California Police Chiefs Association have all voiced opposition, calling the law reckless and dangerous. They argue that protecting the identities of agents is critical for their safety and that of their families, especially in light of increased harassment both online and in public.

President Donald Trump also weighed in, urging Democrats to stop what he described as inflammatory rhetoric against ICE. “The Brave Men and Women of ICE are just trying to do their jobs, and remove the WORST of the WORST Criminals out of our Country, but they are facing an unprecedented increase in threats, violence, and attacks by Deranged Radical Leftists,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“This violence is the result of the Radical Left Democrats constantly demonizing Law Enforcement, calling for ICE to be demolished, and comparing ICE Officers to Nazis,” he continued. “I AM CALLING ON ALL DEMOCRATS TO STOP THIS RHETORIC AGAINST ICE AND AMERICA’S LAW ENFORCEMENT, RIGHT NOW!”

Trump reaffirmed that his administration remains committed to its pledge to secure the nation’s borders and support law enforcement officers carrying out that mission.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/09/three-anti-ice-influencers-indicted-after-stalking-doxing-agent-in-los-angeles-watch/

Annette Gozon-Valdes Defends Shuvee Etrata Amid Backlash Over Resurfaced Video

GMA Network senior vice president for programming, talent management, worldwide, and support group Annette Gozon-Valdes has come to the defense of actress and former *Pinoy Big Brother* alum Shuvee Etrata. Etrata recently faced heavy criticism online after an old video resurfaced showing her expressing sympathy toward former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The video clip, taken from a TikTok live last March, features Etrata telling her viewers:
“Naiiyak talaga ako kay [PRRD]. Kasi sa lugar namin, ang laki ng naitulong ni PRRD, especially when it comes to drugs. Ewan ko lang sa inyo, pero nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay Duterte.”

Following the circulation of the clip, many netizens expressed disagreement and criticism toward Etrata’s statements.

In response, Gozon-Valdes took to Facebook on Friday to clarify the situation and defend Etrata. She emphasized that the actress has been unfairly attacked on social media and expressed her readiness to offer support—not only to Etrata but to any artist or friend facing unwarranted public backlash.

“Please allow me to clarify an article going around. I am ready to offer my support to Shuvee, any of our artists, or any of my friends when they are wrongfully and unfairly attacked,” Gozon-Valdes wrote.

The Kapuso executive further underscored that Etrata is not a die-hard supporter of any politician. Instead, she described Etrata’s remarks as personal observations based on her own experiences.

“Shuvee is not die-hard for any politician. She has had very, very few (and short) posts that have political color in the past. She gave her personal observation and opinions on what she believed to be good acts and bad acts done by the [government],” Gozon-Valdes explained.

She added that if Etrata personally witnessed positive changes in her community—such as the reduction of drug-related issues—then her views should be respected. Likewise, her stance against the ABS-CBN shutdown deserves acknowledgment.

Gozon-Valdes’ statement sheds light on the ongoing tensions between public figures, political discourse, and the unforgiving nature of social media—where resurfaced posts and comments frequently ignite polarizing debates.
https://starmometer.com/annette-gozon-valdes-defends-shuvee-etrata-amid-backlash-over-resurfaced-video/

Jenny McCarthy Brutally Ridiculed and Accused of Spreading ‘Dangerous Information’ After Discussing Tylenol and Autism Link — ‘You Don’t Have a Medical Degree!’

Sept. 26, 2025, Published 4:05 p.m. ET

Anti-vaccine advocate Jenny McCarthy has sparked backlash on social media after sharing a video discussing the unproven “correlation” between Tylenol’s active ingredient, acetaminophen, and autism, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

McCarthy’s post divided social media users, with some applauding the “mama bear,” whose son was diagnosed with autism as a baby, for doing her own “research.” Others called out McCarthy and accused her of spreading false and “dangerous” information without a medical degree. McCarthy took offense and clapped back in the comment section.

Jenny McCarthy Promotes Tylenol and Autism Link Theory

McCarthy’s Instagram post focused on acetaminophen’s impact on the body’s detoxification system. She captioned the video with a disclaimer: “So many calls and questions. Hope this helps a little. Note: I’m repeating what the doctors have said. Talk to your own for more info.”

The former Playboy model went on to claim acetaminophen hinders glutathione, a natural antioxidant supporting metabolic detoxification, and decreases the body’s ability to detox harmful toxins like “aluminum found in vaccines.”

Critics Slam Jenny McCarthy for ‘Spreading Misinformation’

She further claimed that while she didn’t take Tylenol during her pregnancy, she naturally has low levels of glutathione and receives weekly IV treatments to help.

Although the former talk show co-host has been open about her anti-vaccine views before, Instagram users were outraged that she was promoting the Tylenol theory. This theory has been dismissed by a significant number of healthcare providers, especially following HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement regarding acetaminophen.

One user commented: “No. This is not fully true. This is again DANGEROUS information, you do not have a medical degree or have the expertise – please stop.” McCarthy replied, “This info came from the doctors. Go talk to one.”

Others wrote:

  • “Please stop talking like you understand science. Still spreading misinformation. Go back to Singled Out.”
  • “Unfollow I’ll listen to real doctors.”
  • “Celebrity personalities are now health experts in America.”

One Instagram user warned: “You should be taking advice from board registered certified medical professionals. Nobody else.” Many pointed out the key scientific principle: “Correlation does not equal causation.”

During the heated debate, one critic took a swipe at McCarthy’s stance on “toxics” while undergoing cosmetic procedures, writing: “I don’t understand how these people talk about environmental toxins, natural this and that, gluten – blah blah, yet their entire face and body is filled with toxins, implants, fillers … MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.”

Jenny McCarthy’s Controversial Vaccine History

McCarthy has stirred controversy with her stance on vaccines for over a decade, though she has claimed to be “pro-vaccine” at one point. She wrote an op-ed for the Chicago Sun-Times in 2014, reportedly stating:

“I am not ‘anti-vaccine.’ This is not a change in my stance, nor is it a new position that I have recently adopted. For years, I have repeatedly stated that I am, in fact, ‘pro-vaccine’ and for years I have been wrongly branded as ‘anti-vaccine.’”

https://radaronline.com/p/jenny-mccarthy-promotes-unproven-tylenol-autism-theory-backlash-instagram/

UF Rescinds Emeritus Status for Professor Over Kirk Facebook Post

The University of Florida rescinded a retired professor’s emeritus status on Friday over a controversial Facebook post made on the evening of Charlie Kirk’s death. The post had sparked significant backlash on social media.

The university announced on social media that a retired faculty member, who issued a post causing concern, had lost their emeritus status. However, in a follow-up, the university did not confirm to the Florida Phoenix the identity of the professor involved.

The Gainesville Sun later reported that the professor in question is Jeffrey Harrison, a retired UF law professor. On his public Facebook profile, Harrison posted on the night of Kirk’s death:

> “There is a lot of commentary about Charlie Kirk. It’s not that complicated. He was an evil person spouting all kinds of hateful messages. I did not want him to die. I reserve that wish for Trump. But let’s face it, even members of the Gestapo and guards at the concentration camps had children. That does not make them heroes, nor does it make Charlie Kirk someone to be admired.”

At the time the Florida Phoenix began writing their story, the post was still publicly visible. However, before publication and after a reporter reached out to Harrison for an interview, his Facebook profile disappeared.

Conservative activist Scott Presler, who has 2.3 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), called on Thursday for the university to sever all ties with the professor and remove any current duties he might have at UF.

Also on Thursday, Harrison posted a statement in response to the backlash:

> “I am getting a lot of hateful commentary about a recent post in which I did not want Charlie Kirk to die but it would be fine with me if Trump did. The latter sentiment I have seen on Facebook scores of times. This avalanche of hate came after someone reposted my original post on X. This leads me to ask if X has gone over, even more than Facebook, to Trumpers?”

This subsequent post is also no longer publicly accessible.

According to University of Florida regulations, emeritus status is conferred in recognition of meritorious service and includes continued campus courtesies such as parking privileges, use of library and recreational facilities, admission to athletic and cultural events, receipt of faculty publications, participation in contracts and grants, and attendance at academic convocations. Following the incident, Harrison’s name was removed from the Levin College of Law’s list of emeritus faculty.

Harrison previously wrote a guest column in The Gainesville Sun in 2022 criticizing UF administrators for what he described as their deference to Governor Ron DeSantis.

This rescinding of emeritus status comes amid warnings from Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, who have promised accountability for educators celebrating or excusing campus violence.

The University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and now the University of Florida have all been under scrutiny for professors’ social media posts following Kirk’s death. Several K-12 teachers have also faced investigations, as previously reported by the Florida Phoenix.

On Friday, Miami-Dade public schools confirmed to the Florida Phoenix that they have received five allegations against employees regarding inappropriate conduct on social media or in the classroom related to Charlie Kirk’s death. These allegations are currently under investigation, according to the district.

— Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
https://flaglerlive.com/uf-professor-firing/

X to have AI-driven feed by November, says Elon Musk

**Next Article X to Have AI-Driven Feed by November, Says Elon Musk**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 20, 2025, 6:46 PM*

Elon Musk has announced that X will soon feature a completely AI-driven feed. The change is scheduled for implementation by November 2025, aiming to deliver more personalized user timelines that are less influenced by mainstream algorithms or political content.

This significant shift was confirmed when Musk retweeted Nikita Bier, X’s Product Head, who outlined the plans for a more tailored user experience on the platform.

**User Control: Grok to Power Personalized Feeds**

The upcoming changes will provide users with greater control over their X experience, enabling them to customize their feeds according to their interests. This personalization will be powered by Grok, X’s intelligent AI assistant.

Musk stated, “The algorithm will be purely AI by November, with significant progress along the way. We will open source the algorithm every two weeks or so.”

**Platform Evolution: Moving Away from Political Content**

Bier highlighted X’s move away from mainstream algorithmic feeds and politically charged content, explaining, “The goal for your X timeline is to get out of the mainstream algo and the political crusades and find your niche.”

These updates form part of X’s ongoing transition toward AI-driven curation, designed to offer users a more meaningful and customized experience while granting them more control over the content they see.

**AI Advancement: Grok Can Now ‘Read Aloud’ in Human-Like Voice**

In addition to feed enhancements, Musk announced a new feature for Grok. The AI assistant can now “read aloud” responses using a natural, human-like voice.

This update was shared by X user @amXFreeze, whose tweet Musk retweeted, showcasing the improvement.

Stay tuned as X continues to evolve, offering smarter, more personalized social media experiences powered by AI.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/x-getting-ai-driven-feed-this-november/story

Mark Zuckerberg fumbles Meta Ray-Ban Display showcase at Connect 2025 keynote

Meta Connect 2025 kicked off with an exciting keynote, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the new translucent Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses through a live demonstration. While the glasses showed promising features, the demo encountered several hiccups, with multiple things going wrong during the presentation.

Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses at the Meta Connect 2025 keynote. To his credit, he chose to perform a live demo rather than playing it safe with pre-recorded footage, but unfortunately, the attempt did not go as planned. During the showcase, Zuckerberg struggled to answer a video call, became flustered, and ultimately had to abandon that segment of the demo.

Despite these challenges, we still got a glimpse of some exciting features. The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses include a Meta Neural Band, which allows users to navigate the display and write messages using hand movements. While dictation is supported, it was not part of the live demo.

Other notable specs include a translucent screen, an impressive 18 hours of battery life, water resistance, and two sets of transition lenses designed for indoor and outdoor use.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses will be available starting September 30, 2025, priced at $799 USD.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146002/meta-ray-ban-display-connect-2025

Exit mobile version