Former President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts have been reinstated, more than two years after he was banned over the January 6th Capitol riots.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced the decision in January, saying that Trump's suspension would be lifted on January 25, 2023, "in line with the two-year period that was initially imposed."

The company also said that it was putting in place "new guardrails" to deter Trump from violating the company's policies in the future. These guardrails include increasing the visibility of Trump's posts to fact-checkers, and taking "heightened steps" to remove content that violates the company's policies, such as posts that incite violence or spread misinformation.

Trump has not yet posted on Facebook or Instagram since his accounts were reinstated. He has been using his own social media platform, Truth Social, since it launched in February 2022.

It is unclear whether Trump will return to Facebook and Instagram on a regular basis. However, his reinstatement is likely to be seen as a victory by his supporters, and it could give him a boost as he prepares for a possible run for president in 2024.

Implications of Trump's return to Facebook and Instagram

Trump's return to Facebook and Instagram has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised the decision, saying that it is important for public figures to be able to communicate with their constituents on social media. Others have expressed concerns about Trump's potential to spread misinformation and incite violence on the platforms.

It is important to note that Trump has a history of violating Facebook and Instagram's policies. In the past, he has posted false claims about the 2020 election, promoted violence against his political opponents, and spread hate speech.

Meta has said that it is committed to taking action against Trump if he violates the company's policies again. However, it remains to be seen how effective the company will be in enforcing its policies against a high-profile figure like Trump.

The implications of Trump's return to Facebook and Instagram are still unclear. However, it is likely to have a significant impact on the political landscape in the United States.