Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, has regained full access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Meta, the overseeing company of both platforms, removed the final surveillance measures previously placed on Trump's profiles as the US prepares for the presidential elections in November, BBC reported.
Meta has completely restored former President Donald Trump's social media privileges after heightened scrutiny. This action falls ahead of the forthcoming electoral season, reflecting the platform's commitment to open political discourse.
Meta emphasized their commitment to facilitating political expression in a detailed blog post, stressing the need for American voters to hear equally from all presidential contenders.
Trump's return to social media, suspended since 2021 due to his support for those involved in the Capitol riots on January 6, signals a major change in digital political communication.
Meta clarified that while Trump's oversight has been lifted, he must adhere to the same community guidelines as all users of Facebook and Instagram. These policies aim to curb hate speech and prevent incitement to violence.
With over 60 million followers on Facebook and Instagram, Trump wields significant social media influence, ranking among the most followed figures in the US according to CrowdTangle data. Since his return, his posts have largely focused on his presidential campaign and promotional memes targeting Joe Biden.
Trump further expands his digital footprint through Truth Social, where he initially posts content before sharing it across other platforms, ensuring widespread dissemination of his messages to a diverse electorate.
In 2023, Trump's profiles on Facebook and Instagram were reinstated with added scrutiny, recently fully lifted. His return to these platforms followed a similar reinstatement on his Twitter account, now called X, after Elon Musk conducted a user poll narrowly favoring Trump.
Donald Trump's social media activity has sparked intense debate and legal scrutiny. Major platforms initially suspended him after the Capitol Hill violence, linking his comments to incitement and disinformation.
Meta emphasized the need to balance open political expression without undue platform influence before lifting the restrictions.
Trump has since resumed activity on Twitter and YouTube, with restrictions lifted last year, following his reinstatement on Facebook and Instagram. This reintegration into social media comes just months before the national elections.
In conclusion, Trump's full reinstatement on Facebook and Instagram marks a new phase in political communication. Meta's decision reflects a commitment to political expression while balancing community safety amid ongoing debates over social media's influence on democracy and public discourse.
