Bluesky, an emerging social network that serves as an alternative to X and is built on open-source technology, has reached a significant milestone by attracting prominent figures to its platform. This Sunday, the company confirmed that former U.S. President Barack Obama has joined its service.
The confirmation came through Bluesky OOO Rose Wang, who responded to a query about the authenticity of Obama’s account with a definitive: “Confirmed!” In his first posts on the platform, Obama commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), emphasizing that this achievement “reminds us that change is possible when we fight for progress.”
Obama, who boasts a massive following on other social networks like X (130.6 million) and Facebook (55 million), has brought his influence to Bluesky. In his first message, he wrote: “I thought I’d join today to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Despite everything going on, it’s easy to think that ordinary people can’t make a difference, but the ACA shows us that change is possible when we strive to move forward.”
This move comes in a context where X, Elon Musk’s platform formerly known as Twitter, has seen a significant migration of users to alternatives like Bluesky, especially after the 2024 U.S. elections. Musk used X to actively support former President Trump and promote agendas aligned with the MAGA movement. Additionally, his involvement in the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), which seeks to reduce the size of the federal government, cut spending, and dismantle agencies, has brought him even closer to Trump’s circle.
This shift in X’s political orientation has led many progressive-leaning users to abandon the platform. This mass exodus fueled Bluesky’s growth in late 2024, and today the social network boasts over 33 million users, a number that continues to rise.
Bluesky has not only captured Obama’s attention but has also attracted other renowned U.S. politicians. Figures like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Al Green, Gavin Newsom, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was the first to reach one million followers on the platform, are already active on the network. Additionally, numerous representatives, senators, and governors have joined this new digital community, solidifying Bluesky as a key space for political debate and connection.
By: Nestor Castillo, ForAllTechNews Director
Image credit: Picryl / PDM 1.0 / Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal