Meta Ends Restrictions On Donald Trump's Instagram And Facebook Accounts

Meta announced that it would roll back restrictions placed on former US President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The social media giant made this move as the US presidential election nears. Donald Trump has a combined 59 million followers on Instagram and Facebook. 

In a blog post on July 12, Meta said that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis. "As a result, former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties," added the company. Meta also noted that all US presidential candidates remain subject to the same community standards as all Instagram and Facebook users. Meta said that it has put new measures in place to deter repeat offenses.

Meta, headed by Mark Zuckerberg, suspended the former US President's social media accounts following his praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. According to Meta, the suspension was an "extraordinary decision taken in extraordinary circumstances." However, in January 2023, Meta reinstated Trump's accounts. Apart from Meta platforms, Snapchat and Elon Musk's X also banned Donald Trump due to his online activity regarding the January 6 incident.