Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez first to hit 2 million followers on Bluesky as platform surpasses 33 million milestone

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has made social media history by becoming the first individual to amass over 2 million followers on Bluesky, an increasingly popular decentralized social media platform. This milestone coincides with Bluesky’s own remarkable achievement of surpassing 33 million total users, cementing its status as the fastest growing social media platform.

According to data from Bluecrawler.com, a website dedicated to tracking Bluesky’s user statistics, Ocasio-Cortez’s follower count stands at an impressive 2,023,918 as of this writing. The Congresswoman from the Bronx and Queens has outpaced other high-profile figures on the platform, including billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who trails with 1,429,110 followers, and actor George Takei, with 1,235,121 followers.

Bluesky, launched as an alternative to traditional social media giants, has seen explosive growth since opening to the public. Marketed as “social media as it should be,” the platform emphasizes user control, customizable feeds, and an open-source framework that allows developers and creators to innovate freely. Its rise has been fueled by dissatisfaction with established platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), particularly following concerns over misinformation, moderation policies, and centralized control. As of this week, Bluesky’s user base has soared past 33 million, a testament to its appeal among those seeking a fresh approach to online interaction.

Since joining the platform, Ocasio-Cortez has been using it to connect with followers in real time, offering unfiltered commentary on political events and policy debates. Her posts range from critiques of disinformation on other platforms to announcements of her plans to engage with constituents directly on Bluesky. In a notable post earlier this month, she wrote, “I’m not going to the Joint Address. I will be live posting and chatting with you all here instead. Then going on IG Live after,” highlighting her preference for direct digital engagement over traditional political appearances.

Among news organizations, satirical outlet The Onion leads with 1,195,853 followers, edging out The New York Times at 1,110,778. The progressive-leaning MeidasTouch Network rounds out the top three news accounts with 939,049 followers, illustrating the diverse range of voices thriving on Bluesky.

Bluesky’s leadership has touted its open architecture as a key differentiator. Unlike centralized platforms, Bluesky allows users to curate their experience through custom feeds and moderation tools, with plans to further decentralize control by empowering developers and organizations to contribute to its ecosystem. This vision has resonated with a wide audience, from tech enthusiasts to political activists, propelling its user base to new heights.