Meta slammed for lifting restrictions on Trump’s social media accounts following his threats to imprison Mark Zuckerberg

MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA: Meta lifted restrictions on former President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts ahead of the upcoming Republican National Convention to ensure he is on equal footing with Democratic opponent President Joe Biden.

The company announced the decision on Friday, July 12, days after the Republican presumptive nominee threatened Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Truth Social with a lengthy prison sentence if he wins in November.

Meta and other social media firms banned Trump after the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, due to fear that he might use the platforms to instigate further violence.

Meta lifts restrictions on Donald Trump's social media accounts to 'allow political expression'

“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,” Nick Clegg, Meta's President of Global Affairs, said in a statement.

"As a result, former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties."

Though Meta reinstated Trump's account after a two-year ban in January 2023, it placed strict penalties and additional guardrails to "deter repeat offenses," as per CNN. The tech firm at the time said that if Trump posted any violating content, his account would face suspension for between a month and two years, besides removing the content.

"In reaching this conclusion, we also considered that these penalties were a response to extreme and extraordinary circumstances, and have not had to be deployed," Clegg said about Meta's latest decision on the MAGA spearhead's social media accounts.

Trump launched his own social media platform, Truth Social, in February 2022 after his suspension from Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

Elon Musk reversed the former President's ban on X in November 2022 after holding a public poll among the platform's users.

However, Trump chose to be more active on his Truth Social network following his infamous departure from the White House despite getting back his accounts on other social media platforms.

Internet reacts as Meta lifts restrictions on Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts

Outraged at Meta's decision to reinstate Donald Trump on Facebook and Instagram, lifting all restrictions, netizens brutally criticized Mark Zuckerberg's tech firm. Many claimed that Meta was aiming at financial gain and to protect itself from "anti-trust" actions if the ex-president won the election.

"To increase traffic and advertising. greedy sobs," a user wrote.

"Meta is doing this for financial gain," another remarked.

"No body cares. It must be about add revenue," added a third user.

"Big companies get more clicks and money when they allow Trump to scream and insult people. Big companies like the money more than anything," read a fourth respone.

"Looks like the big tech mafia is beginning their patronage of his countenance in the chance he might win, so they don’t get hit with anti trust action," another person said.

"Of course they are. Did you picture anything different? Mark needs to protect that $54.2 billion year to date net worth increase," someone else claimed.

"All for @Meta's own benefit. I hope their server farms burn down their headquarters," fumed an individual.

"And Meta makes its endorsement plain: Trump for Pres. Disgusting. There’s no evidence that he’s changed the behaviors that caused the restrictions in the first place," another user added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.