Donald Trump won’t be returning to Facebook anytime soon, but we are also learning he is not banned for life. Today the social media company released a statement saying “it was not appropriate for Facebook to impose the indeterminate and standardless penalty of indefinite suspension.” Instead, the platform will suspend the former president’s accounts for two years, starting from the date of the initial suspension back on January 7. Nick Clegg, VP of Global Affairs for Facebook wrote:
At the end of this period, we will look to experts to assess whether the risk to public safety has receded. We will evaluate external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest. If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded.
NBC adds, “The decision came after Facebook’s quasi-independent Oversight Board said last month that the social media giant was justified in removing Trump’s access from its platforms the day after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.”
Without a presence on any of the main social media channels, Trump is still releasing statements through email and surrogates. Here’s his statement reacting to this extended suspension:
“Facebook’s ruling is an insult to the record-setting 75M people, plus many others, who voted for us in the 2020 Rigged Presidential Election. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away w/ this censoring & silencing, and ultimately, we will win. Our country can’t take this abuse anymore.”
While Trump is clearly upset with Facebook’s decision, people on the other side are also speaking out saying the suspension doesn’t go far enough.