"Enough Is Enough": These 15 Celebs And Public Figures Have Left Twitter — AKA X — Or Deleted Their Account
People are not happy with billionaire Elon Musk.
For one, new data collected by USC, UCLA, UC Merced, and Oregon State University shows that daily hate speech on X (formerly known as Twitter) has doubled since Elon took charge.
Along with hate speech is also a rise in misinformation. And, ironically, Elon's own AI initiative named Grok said that he was one of the largest spreaders of misinformation online.
“Based on various analyses, social media sentiment, and reports, Elon Musk has been identified as one of the most significant spreaders of misinformation on X since he acquired the platform,” the AI wrote, adding, “Musk has made numerous posts that have been criticized for promoting or endorsing misinformation, especially related to political events, elections, health issues like COVID-19, and conspiracy theories. His endorsements or interactions with content from controversial figures or accounts with a history of spreading misinformation have also contributed to this perception.”
Even more recently, X raised eyebrows for a change to its terms and service, which would require that disputes between users and X must be "brought exclusively in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, or state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas" — AKA a “hub for conservatives.”
And at the same time, Elon has further cemented his legacy with MAGA after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead an intended Department of Government Efficiency.
So, with these events stoking the flames, people began distancing themselves from Elon's app by deactivating their X accounts en masse and shifting to the similar Bluesky app instead.
it's official — 1,000,000 people have joined Bluesky in just the last day!!! welcome 🥳https://t.co/x6v5YW0WFTpic.twitter.com/ifpjZFpYsf
— bluesky (@bluesky) November 15, 2024
LuckyChap Entertainment / Mattel Films / Via x.com
Here are 15 celebrities and public figures who have abandoned X so far:
Jamie Lee Curtis shared a screenshot of her X deactivation confirmation to Instagram, along with the caption: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference."
In a final message before plugging her Bluesky account, Union shared this final message on X: "There are pivotal moments in life when we must declare that enough is enough — and for me, today is that day. Platforms like X were founded on authentic connections, true engagement, and creative expressions, all anchored in respect for user privacy and trust. Yet, with the recent and upcoming changes to the terms of service—and the return of volatile figures—I find myself at a crossroads, facing a direction I can no longer fully support."
end of an era ✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/DfUxoGz2HX
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) November 15, 2024
Twitter: itsgabrielleu / Via Twitter: @itsgabrielleu
Telling fans his X account will remain "mostly unused," the filmmaker shared his Bluesky account.
This will stay mostly unused (drop in on ocassion). I will be more and more at BlueSky @realgdt.bsky.social. Stay Well.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 10, 2024
Twitter: RealGDT / Via Twitter: @RealGDT
4.Barbra Streisand:
In her last X post, Streisand wrote, "Effective immediately, any comments I post will be on Bluesky. #TwitterExodus"
Effective immediately, any comments I post will be on Bluesky. #TwitterExodus https://t.co/DZOXQAJoWA
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) November 15, 2024
5.Don Lemon:
In a notice, Lemon wrote, "I've loved connecting with all of you on X, but it's time for me to leave the platform. I once believed it was a place for honest debate and discussion, transparency, and free speech, but I now feel it does not serve that purpose."
The above figures join the ranks of those below, who left the platform following Musk's original purchase of Twitter.
6.Gigi Hadid
In 2022, the model wrote on her Instagram stories that she was leaving X because, “For a long time, but especially with its new leadership, it’s becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate & bigotry, and its not a place I want to be a part of.”
7.Whoopi Goldberg:
During a segment on The View, Goldberg said, "It has been a little over a week since Elon Musk took over Twitter and the place is — it's a mess... I'm going to get out, and if it settles down and I feel more comfortable, maybe I'll come back."
.@WhoopiGoldberg says on #TheView that "as of tonight," she's "done with Twitter.""I'm going to get out, and if it settles down and I feel more comfortable, maybe I'll come back." https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/0Ih9fp9yHG
— The View (@TheView) November 7, 2022
8.Elton John:
In his final message on X in 2022, the musician wrote: "All my life I've tried to use music to bring people together. Yet it saddens me to see how misinformation is now being used to divide our world. I've decided to no longer use Twitter."
All my life I’ve tried to use music to bring people together. Yet it saddens me to see how misinformation is now being used to divide our world. I’ve decided to no longer use Twitter, given their recent change in policy which will allow misinformation to flourish unchecked.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) December 9, 2022
9.Jim Carrey:
Carrey has deleted his account but, before he did, he posted: “I’m leaving Twitter, but 1st here’s a cartoon I made with my friend Jimmy Hayward. It’s based on my painting of a crazy old Lighthouse Keeper, standing naked in a storm, summoning the angels and shining his lamp to guide us through a treacherous night. I love you all so much!”
10.Shonda Rhimes:
Shondaland creator Shonda Rhimes left X with a simple message. "Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned," she wrote. "Bye."
Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 29, 2022
11.Toni Braxton:
Singer and personality Toni Braxton wrote at the time: "I'm shocked and appalled at some of the 'free speech' I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of 'free speech' is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC."
I'm shocked and appalled at some of the "free speech" I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of "free speech" is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC.
— Toni Braxton (@tonibraxton) October 29, 2022
12.Jameela Jamil:
Actress Jameela Jamil left with this last message: "One good thing about Elon buying twitter is that I will *FINALLY* leave and stop being a complete menace to society on here. So it's win win for you all really."
One good thing about Elon buying twitter is that I will *FINALLY* leave and stop being a complete menace to society on here. So it’s win win for you all really. 😂
— ❤️ Jameela Jamil ❤️ She/Her ❤️ (@jameelajamil) April 25, 2022
13.Sara Bareilles:
Sara Bareilles also hasn't posted since 2022. Her final message says, "Welp. It's been fun Twitter. I'm out. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one's just not for me."
Welp. It’s been fun Twitter. I’m out. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one’s just not for me. ❤️🙏🏼
— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) October 30, 2022
14.Jack White
In 2022, singer Jack White shared a news notice of Elon Musk reinstating Donald Trump's X account, captioning the image, "So you gave trump his twitter platform back. Absolutely disgusting, Elon. That is officially an asshole move. Why dont you be truthful? Tell it like it is; people like you and Joe Rogan (who gives platforms to liars like alex jones etc.); you come into a ton of money, see the tax bill, despise paying your fair share, and then think moving to Texas and supporting whatever republican you can is going to help you keep more of your money. (How else could trump possibly interest you?)"
15.And finally, Téa Leoni:
The Madam Secretary actor wrote on X before leaving: “Hi everyone. I’m coming off Twitter today — let’s see where we are when the dust settles. Today the dust has revealed too much hate, too much in the wrong direction. Love, kindness, and possibilities for all of you.”