The ex-president was banned from many social networks after the storming of the Capitol in January 2021.
(Photo: AP)
Washington Two years after his ban, ex-US President Donald Trump is back on Facebook and YouTube. “I’m back,” Trump posted on Friday on widespread social networks. In a video apparently taken from a previous campaign speech, he said: “Sorry to keep you guys waiting. Difficult business.” Facebook parent Meta had already lifted Trump’s ban on Facebook and Instagram in January. Both networks are seen as crucial channels for reaching out to voters and raising funds.
Trump, who wants to run in the 2024 presidential election, has 23 million followers on Instagram and 34 million on Facebook. The spokesman for Trump’s campaign team had already stated in January that Facebook was an important tool for addressing voters.
On Friday, YouTube also lifted the ban imposed on Trump’s channel two years ago. As a reason, the video platform pointed out that the Republican intends to run again in the 2024 presidential election. “We have carefully assessed the ongoing risk of violence in the real world, while also weighing the opportunity for voters to hear equally from key national candidates in the run-up to an election.”
Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms had ordered Trump to take a forced break after the storming of the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. Supporters of the president, who was still in office at the time but had already been voted out, wanted to prevent the official confirmation of Joe Biden’s election victory. They rioted in the congress building, five people lost their lives. Trump is accused of fueling the violence.
In a blog post, Meta explained that the rules to prevent unwanted content had been updated. According to this, the distribution of a Trump post can be restricted if it does not directly violate Facebook rules but contributes to “risks” such as the storming of the Capitol. A restriction would mean that the posts remain available on Trump’s profile but cannot be distributed to users’ feeds.
Trump had communicated massively via social media during his tenure. He can now use Twitter again. In total, he has well over 140 million followers. Opponents of the president’s return on these platforms point to the ex-president’s comments on the Truth Social network, which they consider to be just as risky as those that originally got him banned from Twitter and Co.
More: The ex-US President has threatened immediate financial support if he moves into the White House again. Parts of the Republicans want to prevent his nomination.