META has officially lifted any restrictions on former US President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts as of Friday, shortly before a bullet grazed his ear at a campaign rally on Saturday.
This controversial move comes just before the Republican National Convention, where the party will officially select its nominee for the upcoming presidential elections.
Trump was originally banned from the social media platforms due to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection, when supporters stormed the US Capitol building, claiming the 2020 election results were fraudulent.
Trump was allowed to return to Meta’s platforms in 2023, with ‘guardrails’ in place to restrict certain posts.
Ahead of Trump receiving the formal candidacy, Meta stated that it was their ‘responsibility’ to allow the American people “to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis.”
Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts will no longer be under increased restrictions, which were imposed due to “extraordinary circumstances,” according to Meta.
The former president will now be under the same scrutiny as other political candidates, with policies aiming to prevent hate speech and the incitement of violence.
Following the January 6 insurrection attempt, other social media sites also banned Trump for his role in the attack, alleging he instigated and supported those storming the Capitol.
