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Elon Musk reinstated former President Donald Trump’s Twitter account Saturday night after a nearly two-year ban, spurring mixed reactions from lawmakers and other public figures.
While Trump’s account is live, it was not immediately clear if the former president would return to the platform. Trump, who on Tuesday announced he was running for president in 2024, has previously said he would not return to Twitter and would stick with his own social media platform, Truth Social.
Yet many still took to Twitter Saturday to voice views on Musk’s move. While liberal leaders voiced fear over the future of the influential social media company, many Republicans cheered the decision. At least one is wondering if she will also be allowed back on the platform.
“Welcome back, @realDonaldTrump!” an account for Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee wrote on Twitter. The congressional panel, which is controlled by Democrats, was responsible for launching impeachment proceedings against the former president.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, shared the news on Twitter and wrote: “2023 is going to be great. 2024 will be better.”
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, welcomed Trump back to the platform and wrote: “He’s back.”
Some Democrats decried the move.
“I’m disgusted,” Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, wrote.
Minutes after the announcement, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., D-N.J., called on Twitter users to remember the Jan. 6 2021 insurrection — the violent attack at the U.S. Capitol that led to Trump’s removal from the platform.
“682 days ago insurrectionists ransacked the US Capitol and hours later 68% of House republicans voted to finish the rioters’ job and make trump a dictator,” Pascrell wrote.
