Mass Exodus from Social Media Platform ‘X’ Following Trump’s 2024 Election Victory and Musk’s Influence

Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, social media platform X has seen its largest user exodus since Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022. According to a report from CNN, more than 115,000 users in the U.S. deactivated their accounts on X the day after the election. This figure, compiled by digital intelligence platform Similarweb, only accounts for deactivations made through the website, suggesting the total may be even higher.

The mass departure is linked to growing concerns about Musk’s open support for President-elect Trump and his influence over X’s platform policies. Since Musk took ownership, X has undergone substantial changes, including reduced content moderation, reinstatement of previously banned accounts, and a restructured verification system that prioritizes paying users. These changes, reportedly, have led to a spike in offensive language on the platform, including the increased use of sexist and inflammatory language.

In response, many users have migrated to alternative platforms, with Bluesky seeing the most significant influx. Over the past 90 days, Bluesky’s user base has doubled to 15 million, with 1 million new sign-ups within a week of Trump’s victory announcement.

Prominent media personalities, including journalists Charlie Warzel, Mara Gay of The New York Times, and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, have publicly announced their departure from X, citing concerns over Musk’s political influence and platform direction. In a high-profile move, The Guardian also declared it would cease posting from its 80+ official accounts, which collectively have approximately 27 million followers. In a statement, The Guardian described X as a “toxic” environment and criticized Musk’s use of the platform to shape political discourse. However, the publication noted that its journalists would still use X for news-gathering, and readers would still be able to share its content.

Musk, who played a visible role in Trump’s campaign and was recently appointed as a co-head of a newly established government body on efficiency, has yet to comment on the reported user exodus. The developments have amplified concerns among media outlets about the implications of Musk’s control over X and its role in shaping the political landscape.