The 2024 U.S. Presidential election, which saw Donald Trump declared the victor, has triggered a dramatic shift in the social media landscape. X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced its most significant user decline since Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022. A CNN report revealed that over 115,000 U.S. users deactivated their X accounts within a day of the election results, with the actual number potentially much higher considering mobile app data. This exodus can be directly linked to Musk’s active involvement in the election campaign, where he openly and repeatedly expressed support for Trump on X, sparking widespread backlash from users.
This discontent has propelled users towards alternative social media platforms, particularly Bluesky. This platform, which has gained popularity as a potential alternative to X, witnessed a doubling of its user base within a mere 90 days, reaching a staggering 15 million users. Notably, Bluesky gained a million new sign-ups in just one week following the elections, according to Similarweb, a testament to the migration of users from X.
The declining user base on X coincides with escalating criticisms aimed at the platform’s moderation and content policies under Musk’s leadership. Researchers have documented a surge in sexist language, with phrases like “your body, my choice” becoming prevalent on the platform. Musk’s previous changes, including the reduction of content moderators, the reinstatement of banned accounts, the allowance of controversial content, and the revamped verification system, have been cited as contributing factors to a loss of advertisers and a declining ad business, as reported by ANI.
Prominent figures in the journalism world, including Charlie Warzel, New York Times columnist Mara Gay, and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, have publicly announced their departure from X, joining Bluesky to continue their professional endeavors.
The exodus extends beyond individual users, with major organizations following suit. The Guardian, a renowned British news organization, declared its exit from X, citing concerns over Musk’s influence during the election. In a statement, The Guardian labeled X as a “toxic” platform, asserting that Musk’s involvement in the political process has compromised their ability to operate independently on the site.
“We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives,” stated The Guardian, emphasizing that their resources could be allocated more effectively to other platforms. The publication confirmed it would cease posting from its official accounts on X, although journalists may continue using it for news-gathering purposes.
“The nature of live news reporting means we will still occasionally embed content from X within our article pages,” the statement read, as per ANI.
The Guardian, boasting over 80 accounts on X with approximately 27 million followers, stands as one of the largest organizations to abandon the platform. The publication’s departure signifies a broader trend, as users and organizations alike reassess their presence on X amidst Musk’s growing influence in the political sphere.
