Meta lifts restrictions on Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram ahead of 2024 election, citing political fairness. Trump, previously banned after Capitol riot, now faces standard community rules.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced on Friday the lifting of restrictions on Donald Trump's accounts ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. These restrictions were initially imposed following the violent Capitol riot by his supporters in 2021.
According to Meta, Trump, now a Republican nominee, will no longer face heightened suspension penalties on his social media platforms. While his accounts were reinstated in 2023, they were subject to stricter penalties until now. Meta justified its decision by asserting the importance of political expression and ensuring consistent application of community standards against hate speech and incitement to violence.
Trump, the first former US president to face criminal charges, was previously banned from Twitter and YouTube but has since engaged with his audience primarily through his platform, Truth Social.
His reinstated Facebook profile, boasting 34 million followers, features updates originally shared on Truth Social, along with invitations to events and campaign videos. This move by Meta comes amid ongoing scrutiny over social media's role in shaping political discourse and election outcomes.
