for better or worse Meta restores Trump’s Facebook, Instagram accounts https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3851867-meta-restores-trumps-facebook-instagram-accounts/ excerpt: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, restored former President Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts on Thursday, giving Trump access to post on both social media platforms amid his previous suspensions from both platforms. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to The Hill on Thursday that the company has reinstated Trump’s account on the platforms, pointing to a Jan. 25 statement saying Trump’s account would be reinstated in the “coming weeks.” Trump’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts currently have 34 million followers and over 23 million followers respectively. As of Thursday afternoon, his most recent Facebook post was still from Jan. 6, 2021, asking “everyone” at the Capitol to “remain peaceful.” Trump, who announced his third run for the White House in November, has not said whether he will return to Facebook or Instagram, after starting his own Truth Social platform following his ban. However, Facebook has been an important part of his previous fundraising operations. Facebook did not consult its oversight board in its decision to allow Trump to return to the platform, but the company said it believes the risk the former president poses to public safety has sufficiently receded since his supporters attacked the Capitol more than two years ago. “As such, we will be reinstating Mr. Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks,” a spokesperson said last month. “However, we are doing so with new guardrails in place to deter repeat offenses.” Before his suspension, Trump and his allies had spread misinformation about the 2020 election results, alleging the election had been stolen. more at the link
