Facebook’s Trump Gift to Democrats

Author: Editors Desk Source: WSJ:

January 27, 2023 at 10:56

PHOTO: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES

Biden couldn’t be happier as the social-media platform lifts its ban on the former President.

Meta Platforms Inc. is letting Donald Trump back on its social-media sites, and the question is who is happier: Mr. Trump, or Democrats? Our guess is the latter, as they are eager to see the former President back at the center of Republican politics.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s president for global affairs, wrote Wednesday that Mr. Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts will soon be reinstated. “The public should be able to hear what their politicians are saying—the good, the bad and the ugly—so that they can make informed choices at the ballot box,” Mr. Clegg wrote in a blog post.

He’s right, which was our argument against banning Mr. Trump two years ago after the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Facebook joined Twitter and others in Silicon Valley in banishing Mr. Trump amid the political fury over his behavior that disgraceful day. The bans reduced the reach of Mr. Trump’s speech, but they hardly kept him out of public life as his renewed campaign for President shows.

Mr. Trump recently asked Meta to reinstate him, no doubt in large part so he can raise money for his campaign. Facebook is a useful venue to reach the small-dollar donors Mr. Trump will need as many of the GOP’s large donors seek someone who can win in 2024.

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