Facebook Extends Suspension of Trump’s Account Until January 2023

Influence on 2022 Midterm Elections via SNS Becomes Impossible

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Former U.S. President Donald Trump will be unable to use Facebook until January 2023. Since his political activities through the social networking service (SNS) he frequently used have been halted, it is expected that his strategy to influence the 2022 midterm elections will inevitably face setbacks.

On the 4th (local time), Facebook announced that the suspension of Trump’s account will be extended until January 7, 2023. This means that a two-year suspension period has been imposed starting from January 7, when Trump’s account was suspended following the U.S. Capitol riot incident.

Facebook plans to evaluate whether there are any public safety concerns after the suspension period ends and will decide whether to allow Trump to use his account again.

CNN reported that according to this decision, Trump will be unable to exert influence through Facebook during the 2022 midterm elections, but the possibility remains open for him to use Facebook if he runs in the 2024 presidential election.

The New York Times also reported that following Twitter’s permanent ban of Trump’s account and Facebook’s two-year suspension, it has become even more difficult for Trump to exert influence.

After being blocked from using SNS, Trump’s political influence sharply declined. Although he recently started a blog, it was shut down due to lack of user response.