On Wednesday evening, U.S. Vice President JD Vance joined the social media platform Bluesky, only to face an immediate, temporary suspension. The brief ban, triggered by Bluesky’s automated system to detect impersonation attempts, was quickly resolved, and Vance’s account was restored and verified.
Bluesky’s automated moderation system flagged Vance’s account as a potential impersonation, a precaution often applied to high-profile figures. A Bluesky spokesperson explained to TechCrunch:
“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. The account was quickly restored and verified so people can easily confirm its authenticity.”
Bluesky briefly suspended JD Vance's account after he joined | TechCrunch https://t.co/e4KVjdlEQr
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) June 19, 2025The spokesperson added, “We welcome the Vice President to join the conversation on Bluesky.”
Just set up my page on @bluesky, hope to see you guys there! pic.twitter.com/5cgjyMF8su
— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 18, 2025After his account was reinstated, Vance wasted no time engaging with the platform. His first post addressed the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, signalling his intent to discuss significant policy issues.
Bluesky, a decentralised social media platform, has gained traction as an alternative to traditional networks, attracting public figures and users seeking open dialogue. The platform’s quick response to Vance’s suspension underscores its commitment to balancing security with user access.
