In late July, John P. Coale, one of Donald Trump’s attorneys in a personal capacity, held discussions with executives and lawyers from Alphabet at Mar-a-Lago. During the meeting, which included a lunch provided by Trump, Coale refrained from discussing ongoing antitrust cases involving Google, indicating concerns about the potential implications of such topics.
By the end of September, a $24.5 million settlement was announced, wherein YouTube, an Alphabet subsidiary, agreed to compensate Trump and several associates for a lawsuit filed in 2021. The lawsuit claimed that YouTube violated their First Amendment rights by suspending their channels, a suit that Coale represented Trump in. Notably, the settlement came without an admission of wrongdoing by YouTube.
Alphabet is currently entangled in two significant antitrust lawsuits with the federal government, which could lead to a potential breakup of the company, although recent rulings have suggested that such actions may be less likely. One case had origins in the Trump administration, while the other was initiated by the Biden administration.
The lawsuit against YouTube differed as it involved private citizens claiming that the platform unlawfully censored their speech. Legal experts have opined on the strength of these claims, noting that YouTube, as a private entity, may legally terminate accounts based on its terms of service.
Following the settlement, Trump directed a substantial part of the payout to the construction of a ballroom near the White House, specifically earmarking funds for the project. Several tech companies, including Google, have reportedly pledged significant contributions for this endeavor. This financial relationship between Trump and a subsidiary of a company that has faced scrutiny from conservative circles raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially considering the backdrop of ongoing legal challenges faced by Alphabet.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/policy/791355/trump-youtube-google-antitrust-ballroom