Bernie Sanders Criticizes Donald Trump Over Millions in Legal Settlements
Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly criticized Donald Trump for the enormous legal settlements he has received in 2025, calling them “an example of kleptocracy in plain sight.”
Sanders’ comments come as Trump’s financial gains from a series of lawsuits have drawn national attention and sparked renewed debate over the ethical boundaries between wealth, power, and public office.
Over the past year, Trump has secured multi-million-dollar settlements from several major corporations — including Meta, YouTube, Twitter (X), and Paramount.
These agreements, originally stemming from disputes about his social media bans and media coverage, have turned into one of the most profitable chapters of his post-presidency.
In one of the largest cases, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, paid $25 million to settle a lawsuit related to Trump’s account suspension following the events of January 6, 2021.
Similarly, YouTube reached a $24.5 million settlement after Trump sued the platform for removing his channel, claiming censorship and bias.
Earlier in the year, X (formerly Twitter) also agreed to pay $10 million to resolve its own legal dispute with the former president.
Trump’s legal momentum continued in July when Paramount, the parent company of CBS, paid $16 million in a settlement over a controversial 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Reports suggest the deal also includes $20 million in future advertising and programming commitments, further boosting Trump’s financial returns.
According to Sanders, these cumulative settlements — totaling well over $90 million raise serious concerns about fairness and transparency.
“No president should be profiting from legal actions while claiming to serve the American people,” Sanders said in a post on X.
He argued that Trump’s growing wealth from corporate settlements demonstrates how political power can be used for personal gain.
Trump, however, has dismissed such criticism, saying that his lawsuits were “a fight for free speech and fairness,” not for money.
He also claimed that any profits would go toward “projects that benefit the American people,” including his planned presidential library, expected to open in 2029.
While supporters see Trump’s legal victories as proof of his persistence against corporate overreach, critics believe they reveal deeper ethical and political challenges.
Many argue that such massive settlements could blur the line between justice and influence, particularly when the recipient holds or seeks public office.
Beyond the political debate, these cases highlight the changing landscape of power between politicians and major tech companies.
The once-dominant platforms that shaped digital communication now face growing scrutiny for their decisions, with Trump’s legal triumphs marking a turning point in that relationship.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Trump’s 2025 settlements underscores a broader question about accountability: Should public figures be allowed to benefit financially from lawsuits involving companies they once regulated or influenced?
As the discussion continues, both Trump’s supporters and critics agree on one thing — his ability to remain at the center of attention, financially and politically, shows no sign of slowing down.
