Former U.S. President Barack Obama has joined Bluesky, the open-source social network positioned as an alternative to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Bluesky confirmed Obama’s arrival on Sunday, marking a significant addition to its roster of high-profile users.
Bluesky COO Rose Wang validated Obama’s account after speculation about its authenticity, replying to a post with a simple confirmation: “Confirmed!”
In his initial posts, Obama commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, calling it a testament to the power of collective action. “With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress,” he wrote.
Obama, who boasts massive followings on other platforms—including 130.6 million followers on X and 55 million on Facebook—joins a growing number of U.S. politicians shifting to Bluesky. The platform has seen a surge in users, particularly among left-leaning Americans, following the 2024 U.S. elections.
X has faced declining engagement from some demographics after its owner, Elon Musk, used the platform to support Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and align with MAGA politics.
Musk has since taken on a prominent role in Trump’s administration through the Department of Government Efficiency, which focuses on reducing the federal workforce and cutting government spending.
Bluesky, which now has over 33 million users, continues to attract prominent political figures. Other active U.S. politicians on the platform include Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Al Green, Gavin Newsom, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was the first user to surpass one million followers.
