- Ex-president allowed back on platform after two years away
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Good morning, US politics blog readers, we’re coming into a lively news day with colorful reactions to Meta’s move to allow former president Donald Trump back on Facebook despite his tendency to spread lies. And current president Joe Biden is revving up for a speech bashing Republicans over their expected hardball tactics on government spending that could affect everything from aid to Ukraine’s war effort to US social benefits money. Stick around.
Here’s what on the agenda so far:
Mark Zuckerberg’s social media giant Meta has said it will allow Donald Trump back on its Facebook and Instagram platforms following a two-year ban over his online behavior concerning the insurrection by his extremist supporters on January 6 at the US Capitol.
Several civil rights and online safety advocacy groups have slammed Meta’s decision as, variously, reckless and encouraging an increase in politics-fueled violence.
Politicians and commentators are weighing in, some pleased, some accusing Facebook of “caving” and calling the move dangerous.
Meta said Trump will be allowed to continue posting his claims that he didn’t lose the 2020 election to Biden but action will be taken if he casts doubt on the reliability of the 2024 presidential election, Meta told CNN.
The US economy slowed but still grew at 2.9% rate last quarter, ending 2022 with momentum despite the pressure of high interest rates and widespread fears of a looming recession, latest gross domestic product (GDP) stats show.
Joe Biden is heading to Springfield, Virginia, this afternoon and will give remarks at a union office about the economy.
The US president is expected to condemn the Republicans, in the shape of their narrow majority in House, for signaling they are serious about a showdown/staring contest over the administrations efforts to increase the debt ceiling, by bargaining with aces like blocking further aid to Ukraine and demanding cuts in social security and Medicare.