Washington (USA): Former US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) wrote his first post on the restored Facebook after being banned from the social media platform for two years. Trump posted a 12-second video with the words, “I’m back,” in what appears to be his victory speech after winning the 2016 election. In the video clip, the Republican leader also tried to promote his campaign for the 2024 election.
Earlier in February this year, Meta had restored Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. The development was confirmed by Andy Stone, Director of Policy Communications at META. The reinstatement was anticipated after Nick Clegg, Facebook’s president of global affairs, announced the lifting of the suspension in January.
It is to be noted here that Trump’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram were suspended by Meta following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. According to NBC News, the ban was initially announced for an indefinite period, including the last two weeks of his presidency. The ban on Trump’s account was later formally extended for two years.
YouTube has also restored Trump’s account
Meanwhile, on Friday, YouTube also restored Trump’s account. Taking to Twitter, a YouTube insider said, “Starting today, the Donald J. Trump Channel is no longer restricted and can upload new content. We’ve tried to balance the opportunity for voters to be heard equally, with the real world.” Carefully assessed the continued risk of violence from major national candidates ahead of the election.” YouTube said, “This channel will remain subject to our policies just like any other channel on YouTube.”
Read also: Donald Trump’s Twitter account is back and thanks to Elon Musk, there are funny memes too
Musk restored Trump’s Twitter account last year
Notably, in November last year, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had reinstated Trump’s Twitter account after a ban from January 2021. Musk made the decision after conducting an online poll that asked Twitter users to select yes or no on Trump’s Twitter account. Account restored. Positive Opinion won by 51.2 percent.
Trump lost his access to Twitter two days after his supporters stormed the Capitol, shortly after the former president implored them to “fight like hell.” Twitter shut down his account after Trump wrote a pair of tweets saying the company cast further doubt on the legitimacy of the presidential election and the risks it posed to Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration.
(with inputs from agencies)