Facebook and Instagram's 'Trump' decision following assassination attempt

Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced that it has lifted all previously applied penalties and restrictions on presidential candidate Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts as the US elections approach.

Meta first took action against Trump's social media accounts in 2021, immediately following the January 6 riot in Washington, D.C. The company had suspended Trump's accounts indefinitely after he praised his supporters who stormed the US Capitol building ahead of the previous US Presidential Election held in 2021. The company later reactivated Trump's accounts early last year. However, it was stated that Trump's accounts would be monitored and that if he made posts that violated the rules, his accounts could be suspended again for periods ranging from one month to two years.

In January 2023, Meta said it would bring Trump back to its platform. Trump regained access to his accounts the following month. However, some restrictions still remained in place.

According to a report by CNBC, following Meta's latest announcement, it was stated that if Trump violates the company's community guidelines, he will face a much shorter suspension that could last only a few days, unlike the penalties previously imposed.

"TRUMP AND BIDEN ARE NOW ON THE SAME LEVEL"

Meta's President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, said that the initial suspension and penalties were a response to extreme and extraordinary circumstances and were no longer necessary to be enforced.

A Meta spokesperson described the change as bringing Trump to the same level as President Biden.

META WAS UNDER CRITICISM

Meta and other social media platforms have long been subject to criticism for not moderating political content, especially content coming from political candidates.

Trump was also banned in 2021 from Twitter, now known as X. Billionaire Elon Musk restored Trump's account shortly after purchasing the company in 2022, but Trump has only made one post since then.

News Source: 12punto