In a move that draws fresh attention to online political advertising, the social platform known as X announced on Tuesday that it will again accept political ads in the United States to help finance the expensive campaigns surrounding the 2024 presidential contest. The decision signals a shift from last year’s tighter restrictions and underscores the platform’s broader strategy to monetize political engagement, even as it navigates debates about transparency and accountability. (Source: Reuters)
Owner Elon Musk reiterated the platform’s commitment to freedom of expression while also confirming that political advertising will be allowed. The company stated that it will maintain limits on content while expanding opportunities for campaigns to reach voters through paid posts. (Source: Reuters)
This policy reversal comes more than three years after a controversial ban on political ads was put in place in 2019, just ahead of the 2020 presidential election. The decision to suspend political advertising globally was later announced by then chief executive Jack Dorsey, who argued that political ads should be earned rather than bought. (Source: Reuters)
In its latest statement, X asserted that it intends to safeguard a free and open political discourse while continuing to block posts that contain false or misleading information. The company also emphasized the creation of a global ad transparency center designed to let the public review political posts promoted on X, alongside robust screening processes that determine which groups and campaigns qualify to advertise. (Source: Reuters)
The platform’s policy exploration occurs against a backdrop of Musk’s public moves in American politics. Last year, the entrepreneur welcomed former U.S. President Donald Trump back to X after Trump had been banned in January 2021 for inciting violence in relation to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The decision to reinstate Trump drew wide attention as part of ongoing debates about platform governance and political speech. (Source: Reuters)
Recent activity on the platform highlighted the continuing role of political figures in online fundraising efforts. On August 24, a post from Trump appeared on X accompanied by an image showing him in custody, with a note inviting donations linked to the legal and political processes surrounding his case. This episode underscores how political actors leverage social networks to rally financial support, while critics argue that platform policies must balance free expression with factual integrity. (Source: Reuters)