Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is to allow Donald Trump back onto its social media sites Facebook and Instagram after banning the former US president two years ago.
Trump was banned in the wake of the January 6 US Capitol riots in 2021, following his “praise for people engaged in (the) violence,” said Meta.
He will now be reinstated on the sites “in the coming weeks,” but faces “heightened penalties for repeat offences,” including further bans.
“The public should be able to hear what their politicians are saying — the good, the bad and the ugly — so that they can make informed choices at the ballot box,” said Meta global affairs president Nick Clegg – who himself had a career in politics and at one point was the UK’s deputy PM.
Trump was also unbanned from Twitter in late November but is yet to post to his 87.7mln followers since he returned.
The move follows pressure from Meta’s oversight board to provide more clarity on bans and the punishments of those who violate its content policies.
Last week, the board called on Meta to change its policies to meet “international human rights standards” on gender identity.
Meta’s decision also risks dividing public opinion, something Clegg acknowledged.
“We know that any decision we make on this issue will be fiercely criticised. Reasonable people will disagree over whether it is the right decision,” he said.
Public debates over the decision have already begun, though.
“Make no mistake – by allowing Donald Trump back on its platforms, Meta is refuelling Trump’s misinformation and extremism engine,” said Angelo Carusone, head of watchdog Media Matters for America.
“Like it or not, President Trump is one of the country’s leading political figures and the public has a strong interest in hearing his speech,” Anthony Romero, American Civil Liberties Union executive director, argued meanwhile.