The recent inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States has not only had political repercussions in the real world, but has also changed the digital dynamics surrounding one of the most influential platforms today: X (Twitter). The gesture by Elon Musk, owner of the platform, emulating what many interpreted as a Nazi salute during the ceremony, has unleashed a wave of reactions that are not limited to the borders of American politics. What began as a visual scandal has become a symbol of the growing polarization that threatens to fracture the fundamental principles of social networks as tools of dialogue, freedom and, above all, democracy.
The response to this crisis has been massive and multifaceted. Political figures, international organizations and groups from around the world have decided to leave X, expressing their disagreement with the direction that the social network has taken under Musk’s management and considering that this platform favors behaviors that undermine democratic values. And this flight includes not only defenders of human rights, pluralism and democratic discourse, but also those who believe that social media, once seen as neutral and open platforms, have been hijacked by political interests that blur the line between free expression and disinformation.
The straw that broke the camel’s back: Musk’s Nazi salute
It’s no secret that under Elon Musk’s leadership, X has undergone a radical transformation. From being a space for public debate and global conversation, the platform has become a battlefield where radical opinions, misinformation and conspiracy theories gain ground. However, Musk’s behavior during Trump’s inauguration, by emulating a Nazi salute, has been interpreted by many as an act of reaffirmation of his connection with the darkest sectors of global politics. This incident was not simply a “carelessness,” as some have tried to justify, but a declaration of intent.
For Yolanda Díaz, vice president of the Government of Spain, this gesture was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” After months of reflections on X’s role as a tool of political manipulation, Díaz decided to leave the social network, arguing that Musk had transformed X into a propaganda mechanism rather than a platform for the free exchange of ideas. In her words, the social network was no longer a “communication tool” but a “control mechanism” that manipulated the algorithm to benefit certain ideologies and silence others.
The rejection of Musk and his handling of X has been overwhelming. Yolanda Díaz, along with other members of Sumar, has made it clear that one cannot be part of a platform that, in her opinion, encourages hatred, xenophobia and radicalization. In the words of the Minister of Youth and Childhood, Sira Rego, Musk’s gesture was not a “mistake” or a “provocation”, but a declaration of principles that made it unsustainable to continue feeding the business of a multimillionaire who “plays dictator” in the digital space.
The exodus of collective consciences
The rejection of Musk is not limited to the political sphere. Various social organizations, universities, media outlets and groups have decided to leave X. One of the first to take the step was the British media The Guardian, followed by other Spanish media such as La Vanguardia and El Mundo Today. At an academic level, more than 60 universities such as the Jaume I University announced their departure from the platform, condemning the radicalization of the discourse on the network and the bias of the algorithm, which favors far-right populist content.
The exodus is not limited to the media and universities. Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace and Ecologistas en Acción have also decided to leave X, considering that the platform, under Musk’s control, has deviated from its founding principles. These entities have chosen to move to emerging platforms such as Bluesky, which, although imperfect, offer greater digital freedom and more transparent data management. In a statement, they denounced that X has become a “danger to democracy” and a “spokesperson for the far right.”
Bluesky: The future of digital freedom?
In the face of the X crisis, emerging platforms like Bluesky are gaining ground. Although still in its infancy, Bluesky has experienced explosive growth, with more than 11 million subscriptions since the November elections in the United States. Unlike X, Bluesky promises an experience less focused on algorithmic manipulation and more oriented towards user freedom, allowing everyone to create their own algorithms and control their own experience on the platform.
However, it is not virgin territory. Bluesky has its own challenges and limitations, and has not yet established itself as an alternative to X. However, it represents a ray of light for those who believe that social networks should be a space for democracy and not an instrument of power for a few.
The future of digital democracy
The mass flight of activists, politicians, academics and citizens from X reveals a deeper crisis than it might seem at first glance. We are witnessing a battle for the future of digital democracy, in which large platforms like X have become the playground of the powerful, who use them to manipulate public opinion, silence dissenting voices and promote extremist ideologies.
In light of this situation, we need to rethink the role of social media in modern society. Should we allow a few billionaires to control the spaces of global discussion? How can we ensure that these platforms respect the principles of democracy, diversity and transparency?
The departure of so many relevant voices from X is a wake-up call. It is the reflection of a society that is no longer willing to tolerate disinformation and manipulation by large technology corporations. The lesson we must learn is clear: social media should not belong to a few magnates. They must be tools that serve people, for debate, freedom and democracy. And if current platforms do not fulfill that function, society has the power and responsibility to create fairer and freer alternatives.
In this context, the future of digital democracy seems to be at stake. Only time will tell whether platforms like Bluesky are able to fill the void left by X or whether, as seems likely, new alternatives will emerge that take into account the true interests of society.
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