Facebook Oversight Board received statement on behalf of Trump over ban

Facebook’s Oversight Board has received a statement on behalf of former President Trump regarding the case on whether to restore Trump’s account, a spokesperson for the board confirmed Tuesday. 

The independent oversight body is weighing a decision on whether to keep Trump’s Facebook and Instagram pages banned, as they have been since his posts following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. 

“We can confirm that a user statement has been received in the case before the Oversight Board concerning President Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts,” the spokesperson said in a statement. 

The spokesperson declined to share further comment on the statement until the board issues its decision. 

Shortly after Twitter, Facebook and Instagram made their decisions, and before leaving office, Trump slammed the companies over the bans. He accused them of being “divisive” and said it was “very, very bad for our country.” 

A spokesperson for Trump was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday.

The decision in front of the Oversight Board may have consequences beyond what happens to Trump’s page.

The social media platform, which referred the case to the board, also requested “observations or recommendations on suspensions when the user is a political leader,” meaning the board’s decision on Trump could influence how Facebook handles future bans related to world leaders.