Meta removes restrictions on Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts

Trump was allowed to return to social media in 2023 with restrictions after being banned due to his online behavior during the capture of the Capitol on January 6.

"In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis," Meta's blog post says.

Trump's accounts will no longer be subject to the increased suspension penalties, which Meta said were created in response to "extreme and extraordinary circumstances and have not had to be deployed."

"All US presidential candidates remain subject to the same community standards as all Facebook and Instagram users, including those policies designed to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence," the company said in a statement.

Trump has mostly shared campaign information and memes on his accounts since his return.

Trump's critics and online safety advocates have expressed concern that Trump's return could lead to an increase in disinformation and incitement to violence, as seen during the Capitol-related events that prompted the initial ban.

Biden supporters condemned Meta's decision, saying it was a "greedy, reckless decision" that was a "direct attack on our safety and our democracy."

"Restoring his access is like handing your car keys to someone you know will drive your car into a crowd and off a cliff," said Biden campaign spokesman Charles Kretchmer Lutvak.

What is known about Trump's other social accounts

Other major social media platforms have banned Trump for his online activity around the January 6 attack, including X, Snapchat, and YouTube.

Elon Musk allowed the former president to return to X last year after buying the company in 2022, although Trump has no tweets yet.

Trump returned to YouTube in March 2023. He is still blocked on Snapchat. In turn, he founded his own social network, Truth Social, in early 2022.