Meta announced on Friday that it will be rolling back some of the restrictions previously imposed on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. This decision comes after the social media giant had indefinitely suspended Trump’s accounts following his commendation of individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The company reinstated Trump’s accounts in early 2023, with a caveat that his posts would be closely monitored for any further violations that could lead to another suspension ranging from one month to two years. However, Meta has now decided to lift this additional scrutiny.
“In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis,” Meta stated in an updated blog post.
The move has sparked a renewed debate among social media experts who have long criticized platforms like Meta for their handling of political content, especially from political candidates.
Trump, who is currently running against U.S. President Joe Biden, was also banned from Twitter, now known as X, in 2021. His account was restored by billionaire Elon Musk shortly after he acquired the company in 2022, although Trump has only posted once since then.
The decision by Meta underscores the ongoing challenges social media companies face in balancing the need for free political expression with the imperative to curb harmful content.
(Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin; additional reporting by Jasper Ward and Mrinalika Roy; Editing by Rod Nickel)