Mark Hamill Leads Celebrity Exodus from X to Bluesky

Mark Hamill, famed for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, has announced his intention to leave X, formerly known as Twitter, joining a wave of high-profile celebrities migrating to alternative platforms like Bluesky. The trend reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the platform under Elon Musk’s ownership, particularly following Donald Trump’s re-election. Critics argue that Musk’s relationship with Trump, along with claims of increasing far-right influence on the platform, has made X a less welcoming space for diverse voices. Hamill took to Bluesky over the weekend, proclaiming himself a “TwitterQuitter” on Monday. Despite his announcement, his X account, boasting 4.9 million followers, remains active. The actor’s decision aligns with growing unease among prominent users about X’s direction under Musk’s leadership.

The Guardian, a media organization with a combined following of 27 million across its X accounts, also announced its plans to disengage from the platform. On November 13, the publication criticized X for enabling far-right conspiracy theories and fostering a toxic environment. The Guardian accused Musk of leveraging his platform’s influence to shape political discourse, particularly during Trump’s successful bid for a second term. Journalist Don Lemon, who has 1.5 million followers on X and is entangled in a legal dispute with the platform, also announced his departure on November 13. Lemon, once a proponent of Twitter as a tool for open discussion, cited concerns over X’s new terms of service, which limit legal challenges to a single conservative-leaning jurisdiction in Texas. Legal experts suggest this move is a calculated strategy to benefit Musk’s interests.

Other high-profile departures include author Stephen King, a vocal critic of Musk and an active debater with conservative politicians on X. King, with more than seven million followers, announced on November 14 that he would be shifting to Meta’s Threads. “I tried to stay, but the atmosphere has just become too toxic,” King wrote. Director Guillermo del Toro similarly reduced his X activity, posting to his 2.4 million followers that he would primarily use Bluesky moving forward. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis deactivated her X account entirely, posting a prayer on Instagram as a farewell without elaborating on her reasons. Singer Barbra Streisand, who still maintains her X account, declared on November 14 that she would now use Bluesky for her updates. Other notable figures migrating to Bluesky include actor Ben Stiller, who urged his 5.3 million X followers to join him on the platform, and several other celebrities like Andy Richter, Lilly Wachowski, Alyssa Milano, Gabrielle Union, and Matthew Lillard.

Bluesky, a text-based social media platform created by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has been a rising competitor in the wake of X’s controversies. With over 19 million users as of November 2024, Bluesky has added four million users in just a few weeks, according to company spokesperson Emily Liu. While its user base remains small compared to X’s 250 million daily users, the platform’s appeal lies in its decentralized and less politically charged environment. High-profile individuals who continue to maintain X accounts have also shown interest in Bluesky. Miranda Cosgrove, Lizzo, George Takei, and James Gunn are among those who have begun posting actively on the platform while keeping a foothold on X.

Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk has become a polarizing figure, driving major changes to the platform’s policies and culture. Critics accuse him of enabling antisemitism and fostering a far-right user base, which has alienated many users and advertisers. NPR, for example, quit the platform after being labeled “state-affiliated media,” though the designation was later removed. The situation intensified after Trump’s re-election, as Musk’s ties to the president-elect became more visible. Musk’s appointment as head of the newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency” has fueled accusations of bias and favoritism, further eroding trust in X as a neutral platform.

Despite the backlash, X remains a dominant social media platform. Sensor Tower reports a 17% increase in its user base over the past year, even as daily active users have declined by 27% globally since Musk’s takeover. Around Election Day, the platform saw a 32% spike in user engagement, though alternative platforms like Bluesky and Threads also reported noticeable increases in activity. Similarweb estimates that X reached a record 46 million daily users in the U.S. during the 2024 election period. However, over 115,000 U.S.-based users deleted their accounts the day after the election, reflecting dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership.

Bluesky’s rapid growth and the exodus of major figures from X signal a shifting social media landscape. While platforms like X remain influential, alternative networks offer users new spaces to connect without the contentious atmosphere that has come to define Musk’s reign. As more celebrities and public figures join the migration, Bluesky and similar platforms may emerge as serious challengers to X’s dominance. For now, Hamill’s move to Bluesky underscores the growing discontent with X, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of social media. Whether this exodus will significantly impact X’s standing remains to be seen, but the shift highlights the demand for platforms that prioritize inclusivity and constructive dialogue.