censorship - The Latremie Post

**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.

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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

**”Very Heavy Times”: Angelina Jolie Reacts to Free Speech Decline**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | Sep 22, 2025, 05:30 PM*

Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie recently voiced her concerns about the current state of free speech in the United States during an appearance at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival. Reflecting on the nation’s atmosphere, Jolie remarked, “I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country.”

Though she refrained from naming specific individuals or providing detailed context, her comments come amid growing controversy surrounding Disney and ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend the popular show *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*.

### Free Speech Concerns

Jolie elaborated on her apprehensions as both an artist and an American. She shared, “My worldview is equal, united and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous. These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together.”

Her statement underscores a widespread anxiety among creatives and public figures about limitations on free expression in increasingly polarized times.

### Discontent Among Disney Stars

The suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* has sparked backlash from numerous Disney-affiliated actors and filmmakers. Mark Ruffalo, known for his role as Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), expressed his criticism on Threads, warning that Disney’s stock “will go down a lot further if they cancel” Kimmel’s show permanently.

Similarly, Pedro Pascal, star of Disney’s *Fantastic Four: First Steps* and other forthcoming projects, voiced his support for Kimmel on Instagram. Other notable figures including Tatiana Maslany and Damon Lindelof also spoke out against the suspension, emphasizing solidarity within the Hollywood community.

### Suspension Details: Why Was Kimmel Suspended?

The indefinite suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* followed comments made by Kimmel regarding the aftermath of a fatal shooting involving conservative speaker Charlie Kirk. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), publicly criticized Kimmel’s remarks, fueling a social media backlash.

In response to the controversy, ABC, a Disney-owned network, decided to suspend Kimmel’s show indefinitely, a move that has intensified the debate on free speech and media responsibility.

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As the discussion around free speech continues to evolve, Angelina Jolie’s candid reflections highlight the complexity and gravity of expressing oneself in today’s charged political environment.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/don-t-recognize-my-country-says-angelina-after-kimmel-speech-outcome/story

Tag: censorship

‘Very heavy times’: Angelina Jolie reacts to free speech decline