JD Vance Suspended from Bluesky Just 12 Minutes After Joining the Platform

Vice President JD Vance found himself briefly ousted from the social media platform Bluesky on Wednesday—just 12 minutes after publishing his first post.

The suspension followed Vance’s inaugural message in which he introduced himself to users of the X (formerly Twitter) competitor and weighed in on the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold Tennessee’s restrictions on gender-affirming medical treatments for minors.

“Hello Bluesky, I’ve been told this app has become the place to go for common sense political discussion and analysis,” Vance wrote. “So I’m thrilled to be here to engage with all of you.”

He then referenced Justice Clarence Thomas’s concurring opinion in the 6-3 Supreme Court ruling, calling it “illuminating,” and critiqued the medical establishment and pharmaceutical industry. “Many of our so-called ‘experts’ have used bad arguments and substandard science to push experimental therapies on our youth,” he said, adding that “many of those scientists are receiving substantial resources from big pharma to push these medicines on kids.”

Immediate Backlash and Suspension

Shortly after posting, Vance’s account was taken offline. “Not found. Account has been suspended,” read a message on his profile. The takedown came just minutes after he cross-posted about his Bluesky account on X.

The suspension was first reported by Axios journalist Marc Caputo, who noted the unusually fast action taken against a sitting U.S. vice president.

Reactions from users on the left-leaning platform were swift and intense. Some users encouraged others to report the vice president’s post for “misinformation,” while others celebrated the account’s removal. One commenter wrote, “Don’t just block. Report the account and the posts.”

Bluesky Clarifies: Not a Content Ban

Despite the speculation and outrage online, Bluesky quickly reinstated Vance’s account and offered an explanation. According to a company spokesperson, the suspension was not related to the content of the vice president’s post.

“Vice President Vance’s account was briefly flagged by our automated systems that try to detect impersonation attempts which have targeted public figures like him in the past,” Bluesky said in a statement. “The account was quickly restored and verified so people can easily confirm its authenticity. We welcome the Vice President to join the conversation on Bluesky.”

The platform emphasized that the action was part of its safety protocols and not an act of political censorship.

A Tense Introduction to a Polarized Platform

Bluesky, which launched in 2023 as a decentralized and open-source alternative to Twitter, gained momentum after Elon Musk’s takeover of X. Its user base tripled following Donald Trump’s reelection in 2024, jumping from 10 million to 30 million users between November and May, according to the Pew Research Center.

Many of those new users were left-leaning individuals who migrated to Bluesky in search of a space they felt better aligned with their views. Vance’s arrival, paired with his controversial commentary on transgender issues, triggered immediate pushback.

While Bluesky describes itself as a platform committed to open discourse, its user community often reflects a more progressive tone, making it a tough crowd for conservative figures to engage with.

Political Speech and Platform Dynamics

Vance’s suspension—albeit short-lived—highlights the tensions that still exist between public figures and online platforms when it comes to free speech, moderation, and misinformation policies. Though Bluesky insists the issue was technical, the timing and user reaction sparked debate about how social media should handle politically sensitive content, especially from high-ranking officials.

Despite the brief hiccup, Vance appears committed to joining the platform’s political discussion. As of now, his profile is live and verified, though it remains to be seen whether he’ll continue posting amid the fierce resistance he encountered.

One thing is clear: JD Vance’s Bluesky debut didn’t go unnoticed—and may have set the tone for the latest battleground in America’s culture wars online.