By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
Meta Lifts Final Restrictions
Meta has lifted the final restrictions on Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts in the lead up to the US presidential elections in November. Trump's accounts, suspended in 2021 after he praised supporters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, were reinstated in 2023 but were subject to additional monitoring.
Reinstatement and Monitoring Removal
Trump's accounts, which have over 60 million followers combined, were initially reinstated in 2023 with additional monitoring. According to a Meta blog post, this additional monitoring has now been removed.
Commitment to Political Expression
Meta emphasized its responsibility to allow political expression and ensure Americans can hear from presidential nominees on an equal basis. The company stated that US presidential candidates are subject to the same Community Standards as all Facebook and Instagram users, including policies designed to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence.
Trump's Social Media Activity
Since his return to Meta’s platforms, Trump’s accounts have primarily posted campaign details and memes, including attacks on his presidential race rival, Joe Biden. Data from CrowdTangle indicated that Trump’s Facebook posts were often among the most popular in the US before his 2021 ban.
Other Social Media Platforms
Trump, the first former president to be convicted of a crime, was also banned from Twitter and YouTube. Restrictions on these accounts were lifted last year, but Trump primarily communicates on Truth Social, his own social media platform, before reposting to other networks.
Return to Twitter
Trump returned to Twitter, now called X, after CEO Elon Musk held a poll asking users if Trump's account should be reinstated, with 51.8% voting "yes." The big tech companies took action after the deadly Capitol Hill riots, where Trump was accused of inciting violence and spreading disinformation.
