What just happened? Donald Trump’s ban from major social media has ended after YouTube lifted restrictions on his account two years after he was suspended. The former president’s return to YouTube means Trump is welcome back on the major platforms that banned him in the wake of the Capitol riot.
The announcement was made by YouTube’s vice president of public policy, Leslie Miller, who said Axios As of March 17, Donald J. Trump’s channel is no longer restricted and the ability to upload new content will be restored.
“We carefully assessed the ongoing risk of real-world violence, balancing this with the importance of preserving an opportunity for voters to hear equally from key national candidates in the run-up to the election,” Miller said. This channel will continue to be subject to our policies, just like any other YouTube channel.
Trump’s channel was suspended by YouTube on January 12, 2021, in response to the January 6 US Capitol attack. The Google-owned company waited a few days longer to implement its bans from Meta and Twitter, which have issued their own bans. It is prohibited due to fears of a danger to public safety and incitement to further violence.
YouTube suspensions were initially limited to a minimum of seven days for policy violations, but this has been extended to an “indefinite period”.
Facebook and Instagram both allowed Trump back on their platforms in January, a week after his campaign urged them to let him back before his bid for the 2024 presidential election. The action likely influenced YouTube’s decision to also allow Trump back on the site.
Bring back former President Trump
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 19, 2022
Elon Musk I return Trump’s Twitter account in November after he tweeted a poll asking his followers if Trump should be allowed back — 51.8% said yes, though Musk claims the poll was attacked by bots.
It remains to be seen how much new Trump posts to YouTube. He hasn’t yet posted on @realDonaldTrump since his Twitter account was reinstated, saying he had “no reason” because he resides on Truth Social, the platform created by Trump Media & Technology Group.
gizmodo He writes Trump could return to posting on mainstream social media once his exclusive contract with Truth Social reportedly expires in June, allowing him to gain more visibility in his 2024 presidential campaign.
