Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube.
Michael Newberg | CNBC
YouTube is extending Donald Trump’s channel suspension for a week longer than its previous temporary suspension.
The Google-owned company confirmed to CNBC the extension Tuesday, citing a potential for ongoing violence. Donald Trump’s YouTube account has 2.79 million subscribers and, prior to the suspension, typically posted several videos a day from him and from right-wing media stations.
The company is also going to continue banning comments from showing on videos posted within his channel. The temporary suspension means Trump’s account and existing videos will remain accessible but he won’t be able to upload new content for a minimum of seven more days.
Last week, Google suspended President Trump’s YouTube account and formally warned the White House about its use of the world’s largest video platform after the deadly violence at the U.S. Capitol by some Trump supporters in early January. The company normally has a three-strike rule and the first strike results in a temporary account suspension.
The extension comes ahead of Inauguration Day, where the U.S. will transition power to the next president, Joe Biden.
The company has historically taken a more hands-off approach to moderating content on its platform, which faced renewed criticism following the 2020 election. By the time YouTube gave Trump its first strike, Twitter and Facebook had already banned Trump indefinitely, citing incitement to violence.
