Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump over the suspension of his accounts in 2021. The settlement, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, marks a significant development in the ongoing saga of Trump's influence over corporate America.

The lawsuit, filed in 2021, sought damages for Trump and other users whose accounts were allegedly "wrongly restricted or curtailed" by Meta. The suspension was imposed after Trump's posts during the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, which Facebook deemed as attempting to "undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power" to President Joe Biden. Although the company eventually dropped the restrictions on Trump's accounts, the lawsuit remained pending.

According to sources, Trump discussed the lawsuit with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago, and indicated that the lawsuit would need to be resolved before Zuckerberg would have a chance of being "brought into the tent." The settlement, which contributes $22 million towards Trump's presidential library funds and legal fees, is seen as a sign of Trump's continued influence over corporate America.

Notably, Trump's odds of success in the case did not appear promising, given that a similar lawsuit filed against Twitter (now X) was dismissed, and another against Google was administratively closed. However, with Trump back in the White House, many tech and business leaders, including Zuckerberg, have taken a more proactive role in engaging with his administration.

This settlement is not an isolated incident. ABC News recently settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump over anchor George Stephanopoulos' mischaracterization of a charge Trump was found liable for. Additionally, CBS owner Paramount has discussed settling a Trump lawsuit over a news outlet's interview with his then-opponent Kamala Harris, reportedly due to concerns that his administration could make it difficult to close a merger with Skydance Media.

The implications of this settlement are far-reaching, highlighting the significant influence Trump wields over corporate America. As tech companies navigate the complex landscape of politics and policy, they are increasingly recognizing the importance of maintaining good relations with the Trump administration. This development is likely to have significant repercussions for the tech industry, as companies weigh the costs and benefits of engaging with the former president.

In conclusion, Meta's settlement with Trump serves as a stark reminder of the former president's enduring influence over corporate America. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how companies will navigate the complex web of politics and policy, and what implications this will have for the future of technology and innovation.