Facebook upholds ban of former US President Donald Trump

An oversight board appointed by Facebook on Wednesday ruled that the company’s ban of former President Donald J. Trump on its platform was justified.

This puts an end to the possibility of an immediate return to the social media network by Mr Trump.

Upholding the ban, the oversight board, appointed to act as a quasi-court over the company’s content decisions, remarked that the ongoing risk of violence was “justified”.

It did however add that an indefinite suspension was “not appropriate”, recommending Facebook applies a “defined penalty”. The oversight board gave Facebook six months to make its final decision on Mr Trump’s account.

Michael McConnel, co-chair of the board, reportedly told US members of the press that the committee’s “sole job is to hold this extremely powerful organisation, Facebook, to be held accountable”.

Announcing the ban on Mr Trump on 7th January 2021, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg took to his own platform to write:

“The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden”.

This came a day after supporters of Mr Trump stormed Capitol Hill, with the former President being accused of condoning rather than condemning the attack.

Both Twitter and YouTube have also suspended the controversial former president. Never one to let obstacles get in his way, however, on Tuesday Mr Trump unveiled a new site: ‘From the desk of Donald J Trump’.

It allows the former president to communicate with supporters and resembles a Twitter feed. Posts made on the site can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.