The Presidency of Donald Trump seems to benefit some unexpected actors. More than a million new users have joined Bluesky since the election. X, the social network of his friend and supporter Elon Musk, has experienced an unprecedented leak.
Bluesky spokesperson Emily Lin highlights the surprising diversity of newcomers. From “swifties” – Taylor Swift’s loyal community – to wrestling fans, including urban planners, the platform attracts varied profiles united by the same desire: find a healthier social experience.
This growth has propelled Bluesky from 9 to 15 million users, although it remains far behind Threads (the alternative to X version Meta) and its 275 million monthly active users.
Flee the toxicity of
Social media researcher Alex Bruns explains to The Guardian this attraction through the absence of three toxic elements: far-right activism, disinformation, and hate speech. The social network, born from an internal Twitter project that became independent during the takeover by Elon Musk, offers, according to him, an alternative reminiscent of “the original Twitter experience”.
The flight of users is accompanied by departures from major media and institutions. The Guardiana leading British daily, left the platform denouncing its growing toxicity. In its wake, German football club St Pauli also closed its account, calling“amplifier of hatred”. The next day, the Spanish media La Vanguardia also announced his departure from X.
In The Guardianhistorian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, from New York University, warns of the risks to come. “After January, when X could be held by a de facto member of the Trump administration, its functions as a Trump propaganda organ and far-right radicalization machine could be accelerated.” she explains.
The figures bear witness to this disaffection: 3 million users joined Bluesky when X was suspended in Brazil in September, followed by 1.2 million new members after the controversial announcement allowing users to see the messages of blocked people .
Bluesky’s growth illustrates a broader phenomenon: the quest for digital spaces protected from populist excesses and disinformation. This migration could foreshadow a profound restructuring of the social media landscape, where the quality of exchanges takes precedence over the virality of content. What ? We can always dream.
- Bluesky has attracted more than a million new users since Trump’s election, including diverse communities fleeing
- The absence of disinformation and hate speech explains the growing attractiveness of the platform
- Major players like The Guardian are leaving X, illustrating a deep crisis of trust in Elon Musk’s social network
