Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. elections, a significant number of Americans have decided to leave Elon Musk’s social media platform X. This marks the largest exodus of users since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022. The departure is largely driven by dissatisfaction with the platform’s political leanings and the rising presence of far-right content, particularly in the wake of Trump’s win.
Celebrities and High-Profile Figures Leaving X
Among those leaving are major public figures, including Elton John, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mia Farrow, Whoopi Goldberg, and news anchor John Lennon. In addition, The Guardian, a prominent British newspaper, also announced its exit from the platform.
The frustration is particularly tied to Musk’s support for Trump and the platform’s handling of far-right and conspiracy-driven posts, which many users found intolerable. This political shift has led to a polarized user base, with those dissatisfied with the current direction flocking to alternatives like Bluesky and Threads.
Bluesky Sees a Surge in Users
Bluesky, a social media platform founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has emerged as a key beneficiary of X’s user loss. According to Bluesky spokesperson Emily Liu, the platform gained over 1 million new followers in the week after the election. Bluesky’s unique selling point is its stance on neutrality and its commitment to not aligning with any political figure, a key message they’ve been pushing in recent days: “No Bluesky team members will be sitting with a presidential candidate giving them direct access to control what you see online.”
The surge in users has seen Bluesky’s numbers rise to 14.7 million, still far below the 275 million active users of Threads, but a notable jump in its user base. Most new users are from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and many are left-leaning individuals or those frustrated by the increasingly toxic environment on X.
Threads: Another Winner in the Exodus
Threads, owned by Meta (Facebook), has also benefited from X’s declining popularity. It boasts a massive 275 million active users and remains a dominant force in social media alternatives. While it has seen growth due to the exodus from X, Bluesky has made a distinct appeal by positioning itself as a more neutral platform without corporate influences.
Fan Communities Joining Bluesky and Threads
A notable trend is the migration of fan communities, especially Swifties—Taylor Swift’s dedicated fans—who have sought refuge in Bluesky after Musk’s takeover. Fans like Noëlle Polo, a Swiftie from Texas, joined Bluesky with a group of other fans on November 6, citing the toxic environment on X as the reason for the shift.
Polo explained: “Swifties have been looking for another app besides Twitter ever since Elon took over. It just wasn’t a healthy environment.” This is echoed by many users who feel that the content on X no longer reflects their values or interests, and they no longer feel safe using the platform.
A Political Exodus
The departure from X is notably political. Many users left after Trump’s victory, feeling disillusioned by the platform’s direction under Musk’s leadership, particularly the proliferation of right-wing, conspiracy-laden discourse. Shannon C. McGregor, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, explained that many felt overwhelmed by the “awful timeline of far-right, white supremacist, conspiracy-theory posts.”
The Growing Divide in Social Media
As a result of this shift, Bluesky has gained momentum as a more left-leaning, politically neutral space. Prominent Democrats, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Chasten Buttigieg, have also joined the platform, further contributing to Bluesky’s growth. In contrast, X’s user base has become increasingly polarized, leading to a more fragmented social media landscape.
For some, leaving X was a necessary step to align with platforms that better reflect their values. Kawa Wutz, a 39-year-old finance director, stated that X had become a place where “every time I opened it up, it would throw things at me that put me in a bad mood,” citing an increase in anti-woman content as her breaking point.
What’s Next for X?
While X remains a dominant platform, its political shift under Musk’s ownership has prompted many to question the future of the platform. As users continue to flock to Bluesky and Threads, it remains to be seen how X will adapt to the changing landscape and whether it can regain the trust of the users it has lost.
Conclusion
In the wake of Trump’s election victory, Bluesky and Threads have emerged as the big winners from X’s mass exodus. While Bluesky is growing steadily, with a focus on neutrality and freedom from political influence, Threads continues to enjoy a massive user base, making it a strong contender in the post-X social media space. The departure of celebrities and prominent users from X signals a broader shift in the digital ecosystem, with users seeking alternatives that better align with their values and political views.
