Donald Trump Regains Full Access to Facebook and Instagram

Meta has restored full access to Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts, removing previous restrictions in preparation for the upcoming presidential election. The decision aims to ensure a level playing field for all candidates as the November election approaches.

Following a two-year suspension initiated after the January 6 Capitol riot, Trump’s accounts were reinstated conditionally in 2023. Meta had warned that any policy violations could lead to another ban. Trump had also faced bans on other platforms, including X (formerly Twitter).

“With the party conventions approaching, we believe it’s crucial for the American public to hear from all presidential nominees on equal grounds,” Meta stated in their update. “Therefore, former President Trump, as the Republican nominee, will no longer be subject to heightened suspension penalties.”

The Biden administration criticized Meta’s decision, calling it “greedy” and “reckless.” Biden campaign spokesperson Charles Lutvak remarked, “Restoring his access is like giving car keys to someone known for dangerous driving. It’s amplifying the voice of a racist, pushing hate and white supremacy into the mainstream. This endangers our safety and democracy.”

Meta explained that the previous restrictions were due to the "extreme and extraordinary circumstances" of the Capitol riot. Now, any policy violations by Trump will result in standard short-term suspensions, and the company promised to apply the same Community Standards to all users, including presidential candidates, particularly concerning hate speech and incitement to violence.