A group named No Kings organized nearly 3,000 events over the weekend. Tens of thousands attended with one main goal: preparing voters for the upcoming midterms. The organization helped people check voter registration, understand voting rights, and plan to vote. Amid this push, their main Instagram account was suspended unexpectedly. According to Newsweek, the account was down for around 90 minutes. Organizers stated they couldn’t access administrative tools for hours, limiting communication with supporters.
Meta, the owner of Instagram, apologized for the suspension. They cited an error in their automated system due to high activity. However, organizer Ezra Levin compared the incident to events in Brazil. There, a court ruled against Meta for favoring political figures, potentially indicating a similar situation in the U.S.
Brazil is preparing for an Oct. 25 presidential runoff between left-wing Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula’s campaign accused Meta of restricting its political content while benefiting Bolsonaro’s campaign. The nonprofit CTRL + Z reported over 1,000 cases of visibility issues, bans, and censorship affecting pro-Lula content. Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court ordered Meta to treat candidates equally, imposing a fine for non-compliance.
In Brazil, Meta denied intentional political bias, attributing issues to technical problems and election security measures. This response highlights the power of a private company that millions use for political news. The No Kings movement argues that President Trump’s administration concentrated too much power in the presidency, eroding democratic norms.
With a focus on transparency, accountability, and fair rule application, the organization aims to convert this opposition into votes. A Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll reported 66% of Americans believe Trump uses the presidency for personal gain. Examples include ignoring the emoluments clause, reshaping cryptocurrency policies to his benefit, and accepting costly gifts from foreign nations.
The situation in Brazil and the United States extends beyond a single account or algorithm. The core concern is whether digital platforms apply their guidelines impartially when shaping political discussions.
Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show Rising. This column is an edited version of her on-air commentary.
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