Trump’s Win Sparks Exodus from X, Bluesky Sees Major Growth

After Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, X (formerly Twitter) has witnessed a significant drop in user engagement. The platform, owned by Elon Musk, experienced a mass exodus of over 115,000 U.S. users deactivating their accounts in just one day following the election. This exodus highlights the increasing discontent among users over Musk’s political support for Trump and his controversial management of the platform.

The figures come from CNN, but they likely undercount the actual number, excluding data from mobile app deactivations. Given the app’s widespread use, the actual number could be even higher, further underscoring the disillusionment with Musk’s leadership. In the wake of the election, Bluesky, an emerging social media platform, has seen explosive growth. The platform’s user base has doubled to 15 million in just 90 days, making it a clear beneficiary of the discontent with X.

Bluesky’s surge can be traced to users who were unhappy with Musk’s actions on X, particularly his open support for Trump during the election. Many of these users felt that X had become too politically charged and no longer aligned with their values, prompting them to make the switch to Bluesky. In the week following Trump’s win, Bluesky gained a million new sign-ups.

As X’s user base shrinks, many are voicing their concerns over Musk’s management of the platform. His controversial decisions—such as cutting content moderation, reinstating banned accounts, allowing controversial content, and changing the verification system—have left many users frustrated. These changes have also contributed to a drop in advertiser confidence and a weakening ad business for X.

High-profile figures have also joined the migration from X to Bluesky. Journalists such as Charlie Warzel, Mara Gay, and Don Lemon have announced their departure from X, opting to continue their work on Bluesky. The Guardian, one of the world’s leading news organizations, has followed suit, choosing to stop posting from its official X account. However, its journalists may still use the platform for news gathering purposes, signaling the growing tension between traditional media and Musk’s leadership.

The Guardian’s exit highlights a larger trend, as more individuals and organizations rethink their presence on X. Musk’s political influence during the election has fueled concerns over the platform’s neutrality and credibility. This shift also reflects broader concerns about the increasing influence of tech moguls on politics, with many feeling that Musk’s influence could impact the democratic process.

As these events unfold, Bluesky is positioning itself as an alternative, with users hoping it offers a more balanced and less politically polarized platform. The growth of Bluesky could signal a shift in the social media landscape, challenging the dominance of platforms like X and offering a glimpse of what the future of digital communication could look like.