The move is likely to increase the scrutiny Meta faces as it seeks to show its users important political speech while reducing dangerous rhetoric online. Meta has long been unwilling to police the speech of politicians, preferring a laissez-faire approach that allows their words – no matter how controversial – to remain on its platforms.
“With the party conventions soon, including the Republican National Convention next week, the United States presidential candidates will soon be officially nominated,” said Nick Clegg, president of Meta Global Affairs, in a statement.
“In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe the American people should have the opportunity to hear from presidential candidates on the same basis.”
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The increased penalties for Trump’s accounts were imposed in 2023 after Meta lifted the two-year ban on Trump. Meta first blocked Trump’s accounts on January 7, 2021, after he praised and encouraged the rioters who stormed the Capitol, leaving several people dead. The company then extended the suspension for two years – which was lifted last year.
Once Trump’s ban is lifted, Meta said Trump and any other politicians whose accounts have been reinstated after a ban would face harsher penalties if they break the company’s rules again. For example, the company said most new violations would result in a one-month ban from posting, with more serious violations potentially leading to an additional two-year ban.
The company also introduced a number of other potential consequences for politicians who post things that don’t violate its content rules but still pose a risk. The company said it could continue to limit the distribution of those posts, restrict a politician’s access to its advertising tools, remove the reshare button from controversial posts or prevent them from being recommended.
Meta said Friday that the company had not had to issue any additional penalties since restoring Trump’s accounts. Meta added that both Biden and Trump would remain subject to the company’s rules against spreading hate speech or inciting violence.
Trump has posted fewer posts on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube during this election than before, preferring to post his most controversial statements on his own social network, Truth Social. However, he continues to post videos of his rallies and some criticisms of President Biden on Facebook and Instagram.
