Since the election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on the 5 November, millions of Twitter users have deleted their accounts and stopped using the app. Many of those who left X (formerly Twitter) have subsequently created accounts on BlueSky – which has a Twitter-like layout and function.
But what is the connection between Trump and BlueSky?
X has faced increasing criticism since its owner, Elon Musk, supported Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, rebranding the platform as X and promising to promote free speech under his ownership. Hundreds of employees resigned in protest of proposed workforce reforms. Many former Twitter employees have voiced concerns about Musk’s intentions with X.
Students commented on using Twitter for a variety of reasons. Josh and Erin, both fourth year, mentioned viewing memes on the platform, as well as news and political content.
Since Musk’s takeover, X has undergone a transformation. On X, alternative ways to view the platform are blocked, meaning that third party apps like social media managers cannot access X. Musk also introduced a blue tick subscription service, allowing users to purchase verified status.
Controversially, Musk reinstated several accounts that were previously banned for violating Twitter’s guidelines. Two notable individuals included Ye (Kanye West) who was banned for sharing antisemitic posts, and Andrew Tate who posted misogynistic hate speech.
Most notably, Musk reinstated Donald Trump’s account, which was suspended in January 2021 after the riots on the US Capitol. Trump was accused of fuelling the riots on the platform after his election defeat to Joe Biden in 2020.
Musk played a key role in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. According to the Federal Electoral Commission, Musk donated an estimated $132m to Trump and the Republicans in the run up to the election. Musk also ran a cash giveaway in key swing states, offering registered voters who signed a petition, supporting freedom of speech and the right to keep and bear arms, the chance to win $1m a day. Isabella, a second-year student, said that Musk is “wholly hypocritical” to be one of Trump’s “loudest, biggest supporters” after calling Twitter too political.
Musk is accused of using X to amplify Make America Great Again sentiment, with misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fake news targeting the Democrats and Kamala Harris spreading across the platform during the presidential race. A second-year history and politics student said that Twitter was “grim” in the run up to the Presidential election and became “extremely right wing”. Erin commented on Musk’s vocal support for Trump, saying that he follows “whoever supports his ego”.
Incoming President Trump has also now appointed Musk future leader of his administration’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
Bluesky was founded in 2019, when Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey funded its initial development. Bluesky is now run and predominantly owned by CEO Jay Graber.
Bluesky now has over 20 million users (as of 20 November 2024). Millions of users switched from X to Bluesky after Trump’s election in protest at Musk’s role in his presidential campaign. Bluesky allows users to control the content they see, including creating custom feeds. There are no verification badges, and no paid subscriptions, unlike X. There are also currently no paid advertisements on the app.
Notable American politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have switched to Bluesky, as well as other public figures like Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris Packham. UK politicians such as safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, Liberal Democrat technology spokeswoman Layla Moran and Mother of the House Diane Abbott have also moved to Bluesky. The Guardian’s official account has officially left X, stating that there was too much “disturbing content” on the platform.
The University of Edinburgh does not yet have an official Bluesky account, but a few departments have set up their own, as well as various Edinburgh academics and lecturers. The University of Edinburgh School of Social and Political Science have a new account, as well as the School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences.
It remains to be seen whether Bluesky can pose a serious threat to replace Twitter/X. Isabella said that Bluesky could “hold onto the energy of modern Twitter” but this would require more people moving to Bluesky. Josh was more sceptical, concerned that Bluesky creates a “comfortable bubble” for users and an echo chamber that reduces political debate, unlike X.
All the students that The Student spoke to agreed that social media influences individuals’ political views. The movement that has emerged since Trump’s election win raises several questions about what social media should be used for, and the wider relationship between social media and politics.
Photo by Farhat Altaf on Unsplash