X & Instagram Reinstate DT's "Permanently" Deleted Accounts
Christine Merser, We the People Dispatch
In a dramatic twist of social media politics, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram have been reinstated. This decision comes after a period of significant deliberation and policy enforcement by both platforms. To understand the gravity and implications of this move, it is essential to revisit the events that led to the suspension of these accounts and the conditions, if any, tied to their reinstatement.
The Suspension
In the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol riots, social media platforms faced immense pressure to curb the spread of misinformation and violent rhetoric. On January 8, 2021, Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account, citing the risk of further incitement of violence. Twitter stated, "After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them, we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence."
Similarly, Facebook, which owns Instagram, initially suspended Trump’s accounts indefinitely on January 7, 2021. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, explained in a post: "We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great. Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete."
The Reinstatement
Fast forward to mid-2024, both X and Instagram have decided to reinstate Trump’s accounts. The campaign for Donald Trump requested the reinstated status. This move has been met with mixed reactions, from praise for upholding free speech to criticism for potentially enabling harmful rhetoric once again.
X, now under the leadership of Elon Musk, has taken a more lenient approach to content moderation, emphasizing the importance of diverse viewpoints. In a statement, X explained, "The reinstatement of Donald Trump's account is part of our ongoing commitment to freedom of speech and the open exchange of ideas. We believe in giving people a platform to express their views, as long as they comply with our policies."
Instagram’s reinstatement came with a more cautious tone. A representative from Meta, Instagram's parent company, stated, "After careful consideration and extensive review, we have decided to restore Donald Trump's Instagram account. This decision was not made lightly, and we have implemented additional safeguards to monitor the content and ensure it adheres to our community guidelines."
Precedents and Policies
The decision to reinstate Trump's accounts is not without precedent. In the past, both platforms have reinstated accounts of public figures following suspensions, provided they complied with the platform's guidelines. For instance, Twitter had previously reinstated the account of political commentator Katie Hopkins after a temporary suspension, once she agreed to abide by their rules.
However, the conditions surrounding Trump's reinstatement remain opaque. While X did not specify any demands made prior to the reinstatement, it is likely that ongoing compliance with their policies is expected. Instagram, on the other hand, has hinted at additional content monitoring but has not disclosed specific conditions or demands.
Conclusion
The reinstatement of Donald Trump's social media accounts marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over free speech and platform responsibility. As these platforms navigate the delicate balance between open expression and maintaining a safe online environment, the eyes of the world remain watchful, eager to see how this decision will impact the digital and political landscape.
In an era where social media wields unprecedented influence, the actions of companies like X and Instagram will continue to shape the discourse and set precedents for how online behavior is governed. The story of Trump’s suspension and subsequent reinstatement is a reminder of the power and responsibility that lies within the digital realm.
Action Items
Do not follow either of his accounts. You give oxygen to his reach, his advertising power, and the algorithms of both Instagram and X will feed you more of the propaganda coming out of his campaign.
Do not respond to anyone who posts - even if they are screaming about how awful it is. Do not click on anything that mentions his name. Ask your friends to unfollow him, and explain that following him is adding reach to his messaging and advertiser’s believing they are getting a big bang for their buck.
If we find that he is using the platforms as he has done in the past, we can all start demanding, through hashtags, that the platforms silence him … or we will cancel our accounts, at least until the end of the campaign.
Remember there is power in numbers. If we can get a strong following, and everyone stands together with a unified message and front, we can make headway, or at least cause them to re-evaluate policy.
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Christine Merser, We the People Dispatch