Barack Obama joins social network Bluesky, gaining attention

Former President Barack Obama has joined the social network Bluesky, which is an alternative to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The announcement was made on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for Bluesky, which is built on open-source technology. Rose Wang from Bluesky confirmed Obama's presence on the platform, addressing doubts about the legitimacy of his account. In his early posts, Obama praised the Affordable Care Act (ACA), celebrating its 15th anniversary and emphasizing the potential for meaningful change through collective effort. Obama has a strong following on other social media, with over 130 million followers on X and 55 million on Facebook. His arrival on Bluesky is part of a trend where many users are leaving X for alternative platforms, particularly after the 2024 U.S. elections. A shift in user engagement has been noted, as many left-leaning individuals are dissatisfied with X's political direction. Bluesky has experienced a surge in growth, now boasting over 33 million users. Several U.S. politicians have also joined the platform, including prominent figures like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was the first to reach one million followers on Bluesky.