JD Vance’s Bluesky account paused briefly after signup

Vice President JD Vance joined Bluesky, a social media platform, on Wednesday evening, but his account was quickly suspended. The platform’s automated system, designed to catch fake accounts mimicking public figures, flagged Vance’s profile by mistake. Within 20 minutes, Bluesky restored his account and added a verification badge to confirm its authenticity, welcoming him to the platform.

Vance’s first post on Bluesky shared his excitement about joining, saying he heard it was a hub for sensible political talks. He also commented on a Supreme Court ruling supporting Tennessee’s law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, praising Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion. This post stirred some controversy, as Bluesky is popular among users who left X after changes under Elon Musk’s ownership.

The brief suspension sparked reactions online. Some conservative voices on X, like Senator Mike Lee, criticized Bluesky, claiming it censored Vance. Others, including liberal users on Bluesky, urged people to ignore or block him. Despite the hiccup, Vance’s account is now active, and Bluesky emphasized it was an error, not a deliberate ban.

The incident highlights the challenges social media platforms face in balancing security measures with user access, especially for high-profile figures. Bluesky, with over 36 million users, continues to grow as an alternative to X, attracting both praise and scrutiny.