United States President Donald Trump has been banned from Facebook and Instagram “indefinitely” due to his efforts in inciting violence at the US Capitol.
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg had earlier placed a 24-hour ban on Trump’s accounts, including on Instagram. But now, he has extended the ban because of Trump’s “use of our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government.”
Zuckerberg added, “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.”
The announcement came the day after all major social media platforms locked out the outgoing US president; due to his false claims about the legitimacy of his loss to Biden. Trump has also been inciting the angry mob that stormed the US Capitol.
“We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great,” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page.
“Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely; for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.”
Microblogging app Twitter also blocked him for 12 hours. But it was unclear Thursday if the ban was still active. Snapchat confirmed Thursday that it locked Trump out of the photo-sharing platform amid concerns over his dangerous rhetoric.
The social media restrictions came after Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building as the Senate debated the Electoral College votes. The mob took over the Senate floor; looted; and infiltrated offices of politicians, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
