Back in 2021, Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, implemented a ban against former President Trump’s accounts. This was an offshoot of the infamous Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
At this time, Facebook and Instagram determined that then-President Trump broke their rules by reportedly inciting violence. Their view, and the view of other major social media platforms, was that Trump egged on his loyalists to storm the Capitol and otherwise break the law.
Therefore, Trump remained banned from these platforms for a little over two years. Nevertheless, Meta has now agreed to let the former president back on Facebook and Instagram, as documented by CBS News.
A Closer Look at Trump’s Return to Mainstream Social Media
Interestingly enough, Meta declined to release a formal statement about its decision to let the president on. However, this decision was made despite certain Democratic lawmakers writing to Meta, asking the company to keep Trump’s ban in place.
Before officially allowing the president back on, however, Meta did warn that “guardrails” would come along with their lift of the ban. The tech company likewise explained that if Trump were to violate additional terms and service agreements, then he would lose access to his accounts once more.
BREAKING: Donald Trump's Facebook page has been restored. pic.twitter.com/jHNpHapcUD
— Upward News (@UpwardNewsHQ) February 9, 2023
The timing of Meta’s decision is also interesting. It’s letting Trump back onto these platforms as the 2024 presidential election ratchets up. Before, there were questions about how Trump would realistically campaign to retake the White House while being blocked from accessing mainstream social networks.
It is also worth noting that Trump has been allowed back onto Twitter as well, since new owner Elon Musk took over the company.
Outrage From Anti-Trump Critics
News of the former president being granted access to Instagram and Facebook is rapidly making the rounds on virtually every social media platform. While supporters and loyalists of the former president are pleased with the decision, anti-Trump critics are not.
Those who don’t care for the former president claim that Meta made the wrong call. Trump’s detractors have also gone on record saying that a repeat of January 6 or another similar situation could transpire as a result of the former president now having access to these sites.
Trump’s accounts on both Facebook and Instagram have been restored. Now it will be even easier for him to plan the next insurrection. pic.twitter.com/0CvIvSzXsa
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 9, 2023
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how Trump uses these platforms. There is a real likelihood that his posts will include attacks on various political figures he doesn’t like and other efforts designed to get enough votes for a second term in the White House.
What do you think about Meta’s decision to let former President Trump have access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts after being banned for a little over two years? You’re invited to let us know your thoughts about this development down below in the comments section.
This article appeared in The Conservative Brief and has been published here with permission.
