Bluesky, a social network alternative to X based on open source technologies, achieved significant success in attracting prominent users to its platform. On Sunday, the company confirmed that former President Barack Obama joined its service.
Rose Wang from Bluesky OOO responded to a post speculating about the authenticity of Obama’s account by affirming, “Confirmed!”
In his initial posts on Bluesky, Obama marked the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), noting it as “a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.”
The former president retains a substantial presence on other social media platforms, with 130.6 million followers on X and 55 million on Facebook.
Despite this, X—formerly Twitter—has experienced a loss of users to alternative networks like Bluesky following the 2024 U.S. elections. Elon Musk, who utilized X to campaign for President Trump and advocate for MAGA-aligned views, now occupies a significant role within Trump’s circle through his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative targeting reductions in federal government workforce, spending, and agency structures.
Consequently, many left-leaning U.S. users are disinclined to remain on X, prompting a significant increase in user growth for Bluesky by late 2024. Currently, the network boasts over 33 million users and continues to expand.
Several U.S. politicians are also active on Bluesky, including notable figures like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Al Green, Gavin Newsom, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the first individual on Bluesky to achieve a million followers, along with numerous other representatives, senators, and governors.
