Trump launches ‘From the desk of Donald J. Trump’ as potential Facebook ban looms – USA TODAY

The big three social media platforms have locked President Trump's accounts because his posts violated their policies during riots at the U.S. Capitol. USA TODAY

WASHINGTON As Facebook decides whether to lift its ban on Donald Trump, the former president unveiled a new website Tuesday designed to communicate to his followers without interacting with them.

"From the desk of Donald J. Trump" went operational more than fours months after Facebook, Twitter, and other social media companies banned him for lies about the general election that helped trigger the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

The website, which includes written statements the ex-president has issued since leaving office Jan. 20, includes a camera feature that Trump can use to make video statements.

More: Will Donald Trump's Facebook, Instagram bans stick? Facebook's Oversight Board to issue ruling Wednesday

"Straight from the desk of Donald J. Trump," said a 30-second video posted on the site that included references to his banning from social media.

Will former President Donald Trump remain banned from Facebook and Instagram? The decision from Facebook's Oversight Board comes Wednesday.(Photo: Gerald Herbert, AP)

The new Trump website, first reported by Fox News,surfaced a day before Facebook'sOversight Board is scheduled to announce a decision on whether to keep the ex-president off Facebook and Instagram.

More: President Trump blocked from posting to Facebook, Instagram 'indefinitely,' at least through end of term

More: President Trump permanently banned from Twitter over risk he could incite violence

This is not the social media platform that Trump has pledged to create; there is no way for viewers to interact or respond to the Trump messages that are posted on the new website.

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Trump spokesman Jason Millersaid on Twitter that the new website is "a great resource to find his latest statements and highlights from his first term in office," but added "this is not a new social media platform. Well have additional information coming on that front in the very near future."

Others offered a different description of the venture that allows Trump to post comments, images, and videos.

"Its basically a blog," tweeted pollster Frank Luntz.

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Trump launches 'From the desk of Donald J. Trump' as potential Facebook ban looms - USA TODAY