Concerns arose after users reported being compelled to follow official presidential accounts, sparking a response from Meta that clarifies standard account transition procedures.
**Meta Responds to Claims of Forcing Trump Account Follows**
**Meta Responds to Claims of Forcing Trump Account Follows**
Meta denies allegations that users of Facebook and Instagram were automatically made to follow accounts of senior figures in the Trump administration following his inauguration.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently addressed accusations from users suggesting they were forced to follow official accounts associated with the newly inaugurated Trump administration, specifically President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and First Lady Melania Trump. These complaints emerged shortly after Trump's inauguration, prompting a clarification from Meta spokesman Andy Stone.
Stone noted in an official statement that the accounts in question—POTUS for the president, VicePresident for the vice president, and FLOTUS for the first lady—were updated to reflect the new office holders, a customary procedure during transitions of presidential leadership. Archived versions of these accounts reveal that they previously displayed the names and images of Joe Biden and Jill Biden.
He added that transitions between account holders may lead to delays in processing follow and unfollow requests, a temporary situation users may need to account for. This protocol aligns with processes undertaken during the previous transitions of power.
Donald Trump's second inauguration marked the beginning of his new term, during which he quickly enacted a series of executive orders emphasizing his political agenda, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization and declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border. The event was notably attended by prominent figures in the tech industry, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Elon Musk, who holds an advisory role within the administration.
Trump has voiced criticism of Meta in the past. The company suspended his account in 2021 due to his comments during the January 6 riots, which Meta characterized as inciting violence. In recent months, Trump and his associates have accused Meta of colluding with the Biden administration to suppress information relating to Hunter Biden and pandemic-related content. Zuckerberg has since expressed remorse over the previous suspension decision.
Interestingly, despite past admonishments, Trump and Zuckerberg have rekindled ties, with Zuckerberg visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate and contributing financially to the inauguration festivities. Earlier this month, Meta announced its decision to eliminate third-party fact-checking in favor of an approach akin to X's community notes, which is seen as an effort to mend relations with Trump, who has long criticized the platform. This change reflects Meta's intention to reaffirm its commitment to free expression amidst political scrutiny.
Stone noted in an official statement that the accounts in question—POTUS for the president, VicePresident for the vice president, and FLOTUS for the first lady—were updated to reflect the new office holders, a customary procedure during transitions of presidential leadership. Archived versions of these accounts reveal that they previously displayed the names and images of Joe Biden and Jill Biden.
He added that transitions between account holders may lead to delays in processing follow and unfollow requests, a temporary situation users may need to account for. This protocol aligns with processes undertaken during the previous transitions of power.
Donald Trump's second inauguration marked the beginning of his new term, during which he quickly enacted a series of executive orders emphasizing his political agenda, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization and declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border. The event was notably attended by prominent figures in the tech industry, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Elon Musk, who holds an advisory role within the administration.
Trump has voiced criticism of Meta in the past. The company suspended his account in 2021 due to his comments during the January 6 riots, which Meta characterized as inciting violence. In recent months, Trump and his associates have accused Meta of colluding with the Biden administration to suppress information relating to Hunter Biden and pandemic-related content. Zuckerberg has since expressed remorse over the previous suspension decision.
Interestingly, despite past admonishments, Trump and Zuckerberg have rekindled ties, with Zuckerberg visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate and contributing financially to the inauguration festivities. Earlier this month, Meta announced its decision to eliminate third-party fact-checking in favor of an approach akin to X's community notes, which is seen as an effort to mend relations with Trump, who has long criticized the platform. This change reflects Meta's intention to reaffirm its commitment to free expression amidst political scrutiny.
