Facebook & Instagram: Meta lifts all restrictions on Trump's accounts
Before the party convention and the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Meta lifted the last restrictions on his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in National Harbor, Maryland, US, on February 24, 2024.
(Image: Jonah Elkowitz/Shutterstock.com)
In view of the US election campaign, Meta has also lifted the last restrictions on the accounts of former US President and renewed candidate Donald Trump. The company announced this on Friday with an update to its guidelines for celebrities.
Trump under observation
Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts had been under closer scrutiny since January 2023. Although the accounts had been unblocked after a two-year ban, even minor violations would have meant a new ban and stricter sanctions.
Meta had blocked Donald Trump's accounts indefinitely in January 2021 after supporters stormed the White House in Washington on January 6. The company feared that Trump could use its platform to cause further discord.
Meta's own, but nominally independent, supervisory committee approved the ban, but also called for it to be limited to two years. An indefinite ban would not be covered by the platform's rules.
Other social media had also taken and reversed measures against Trump's accounts. Twitter also blocked Trump's account shortly after the events of January 6. Following the takeover by Elon Musk, the platform unblocked the ex-president's account.
In the face of strong headwinds from the major platforms, Trump had tried evasive maneuvers meanwhile. In addition to his own blog, Trump founded the social network Truth Social, which has not yet been able to establish itself properly.
Clear path for the election campaign
Since the end of the lockdown, Trump has been subject to stricter rules. The company has now lifted them. Considering Trump's nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and the start of the election campaign, Meta emphasizes that "the American people should be able to hear from the presidential candidates on an equal basis".
Meta lifted these final restrictions on Trump last Friday with an eye toward the Republican nominating convention yesterday (Monday). On Saturday, Trump was slightly injured by a gunshot during a failed assassination attempt at a campaign event. One visitor to the event and the shooter were killed in the attack.
(vbr)
