YouTube is preparing to reinstate channels that were previously banned for spreading COVID-19 and 2020 election misinformation. The company says the takedowns happened under pressure from the Biden administration.
The decision was confirmed in a letter sent Wednesday to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who has been investigating the platform for allegedly censoring lawful speech. In a separate letter from Alphabet counsel Daniel F. Donovan, YouTube said creators terminated for repeated violations of policies that are no longer active will now be allowed back.
Rep. Jordan has framed the move as a victory for free expression. The change will allow the return of right-wing figures such as Steve Bannon, Dan Bongino, and Sebastian Gorka. Some influencers are also requesting that YouTube restore individual videos removed under medical misinformation rules.
Alphabet’s letter emphasized that YouTube values conservative voices, highlighting their role in public discourse and their influence through interviews with politicians, celebrities, and business leaders. It also stated that YouTube will not rely on fact-checkers for moderation and stressed the platform’s commitment to freedom of expression.
The company also pointed to the political environment under the Biden administration, saying government pressure sought to influence platform actions. Alphabet described such interference as unacceptable, adding that content moderation decisions must remain independent.
This announcement follows broader political disputes over misinformation and censorship. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that government efforts to encourage content removal do not violate the First Amendment unless removals are directly mandated.
The development comes as former President Trump pressures ABC to cancel Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. Some critics have called out Republicans for inconsistency, suggesting the push to remove Kimmel conflicts with free speech arguments made against YouTube’s past bans. Jordan, however, said the Kimmel matter reflects business choices rather than government overreach.
Other tech companies are facing similar scrutiny. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged in 2024 that his platforms faced pressure from the Biden administration to restrict pandemic content, calling the pressure wrong but noting the final decision was Meta’s. Around the same time, Meta announced it would drop fact-checkers and introduce a community notes-style system.
Trump’s second term has seen a closer alignment between his administration and major tech executives. Leaders from OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft have attended events at the White House, pledging investments and supporting administration initiatives.
