Trump-Google Legal Battle: YouTube Pays $24.5 Million; New U.S. Tariffs on Lumber Announced
YouTube agrees to a $24.5M settlement in Trump lawsuit over account suspension, while President Trump imposes new tariffs on lumber and wood imports to protect U.S. industry. Full details here.
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| Donald Trump 45th and 47th U.S. Presiden |
YouTube Settles Trump Lawsuit for $24.5 Million
Alphabet-owned YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
According to court filings, the settlement includes:
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$22 million directed to the Trust for the National Mall, at Trump’s request, to support construction of a new White House ballroom.
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$2.5 million distributed among other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf.
Importantly, YouTube did not admit any wrongdoing in the agreement and will not be required to change its moderation or content policies. This marks the third major settlement between Trump and social media platforms, following earlier payouts from Meta and X (formerly Twitter).
Analysts say the deal boosts Trump’s ongoing campaign to portray Big Tech as politically biased while also securing a financial and symbolic victory in his legal battles.
Trump Signs Tariffs on Lumber and Wood Products
In another major policy move, President Trump signed a proclamation on September 29, 2025, imposing new tariffs on imported timber, lumber, and derivative wood products.
Tariff Details:
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10% tariff on softwood timber and lumber imports.
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25% tariff on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and wooden furniture.
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Beginning January 2026, these rates will rise to 30–50% unless trade agreements are reached with key partners.
The decision was made under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act (1962) after the Commerce Department determined that heavy reliance on imports threatened U.S. national security and domestic industry capacity.
Global and Domestic Impact
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Canada, the largest supplier of softwood lumber to the U.S., is expected to be hit hardest, potentially sparking trade retaliation.
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Construction and housing industry experts warn that tariffs could raise the costs of building materials, furniture, and home renovations.
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Industry groups and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have criticized the move, warning of inflationary effects on consumers.
Why This Matters
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The YouTube settlement highlights Trump’s ongoing influence in the battle between political figures and Big Tech platforms.
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The lumber tariffs reinforce his “America First” economic strategy, aimed at protecting U.S. manufacturers but with possible global trade consequences.
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Both stories reflect Trump’s dual strategy of challenging powerful corporations while using trade policy as leverage in global negotiations.