Former United States President Donald J. Trump recently made headlines following Meta’s decision to reinstate his Instagram and Facebook accounts after a ban of over 2 years, sparking mixed public reactions.

It is important to explore both sides of this ongoing debate and determine the impact of his return to social media. Supporters of Trump are thrilled to see his presence on these social media apps, and view his Facebook and Instagram accounts as an opportunity for him to continue spreading his message and connecting with his followers. The former President has a reputation for using social media to reach out to supporters, and by returning to these platforms he is able to continue this tradition.

It is also argued that Trump’s return is a positive development for free speech. Many supporters take the position that he was unjustly banned from these apps, and his return signals that social media corporations are beginning to grasp the importance of supporting a wide range of voices and allowing them to be heard. This can also be seen as a development for democracy and freedom of expression.

However, many  people are growing concerned about the impact of Trump’s return to social media. Trump’s presence on these platforms will only further divide the country, and stoke flames of hatred between opposing groups. His rhetoric on social media has incited havoc in the past, and there is no logical reason to expect different results at this time. Many worry about the spread of misinformation on these platforms. During his presidency, Trump used social media platforms as a vessel to spread false information and conspiracy theories. His return to social platforms is disquieting to the public, because they believe that his reinstatement will only allow him to continue to spread false notions to his supporters, who in turn will blindly subsidize his antics. An individual possessing such radical beliefs, extreme wealth, and a cult-like group of supporters is somebody who, perhaps, is best kept off social platforms. This is particularly meaningful in light of the January 6th riot on the Capitol, which was essentially fueled by misinformation spread by social media and continual financial support by Trump’s followers.

The return of Donald Trump to Facebook and Instagram elicited mixed reactions from the public. Some view it as an important step for the cultivation of free speech on social platforms, but others are distressed about the impact this decision will have on our country and the spread of misinformation. Over time, we will see whether this return will have a positive or negative impact, but the situation in its entirety has sparked an interesting debate regarding social media’s role in politics.