Trump 2024: Former President Rejoins Social Media Ahead Of Elections

Donald Trump, the former US president, made a comeback to tech platforms YouTube and Facebook on Friday.

He was previously banned from both platforms after the Capitol Hill riot by his supporters on 6 January 2021.

On his Facebook page and YouTube channel, titled 'I'M BACK!', posts display a CNN video declaring Trump as president against Clinton in 2016 followed by a 'Trump 2024' screen.

YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc, reinstated Trump's channel on Friday, and Meta Platforms Inc had already restored his Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, reinstated Trump's account in November, but he hasn't tweeted yet.

Trump's successful 2016 presidential campaign was largely attributed to his social media savviness. With a combined 146 million followers on three major tech platforms, his return gives him access to key political fundraising vehicles as he seeks to run for the presidency again in 2024.

In a tweet, YouTube explained that they assessed the potential danger of on-ground violence and weighed it against the opportunity for voters to have equal access to major candidates. Trump’s campaign team has yet to address the restoration of his account.

The campaign spokesperson said to Fox News in January that Facebook is crucial in reaching voters for the 2024 elections.

Ex-POTUS launched Truth Social in 2021 to remain connected with his followers after being banned from Meta and Twitter.

Trump was banned from YouTube in 2021 for inciting violence after his supporters stormed the Capitol Hill during Congress' certification of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory.

With close to 5 million followers on Truth Social, critics argue that Trump's messages on the platform demonstrate that he still poses the same threat that led to his suspensions.