Leftie Guardian stops posting on Twitter in sulk over Trump election win

The Guardian has announced it will no longer post on X over concerns about “disturbing content” on the platform.

In its announcement, the publication said the benefits of being on X were now “outweighed by the negatives”, adding resources could be better used promoting the Guardian’s work elsewhere.

It added: “This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism.”

The newspaper, which the latest figures show was the second biggest news site in the UK in September with an audience of 19.6 million, also described X as a “toxic media platform”.

X-owner Elon Musk is also accused by The Guardian of being able to use its influence to shape political discourse.

The statement goes on to explain the move doesn’t stop X users from sharing Guardian articles and tweets will “occasionally” be embedded on its website.

Reporters at the publication won’t be stopped from using X to help source stories, but the newspaper said the platform now plays a “diminished” role in promoting its work.

The announcement prompted criticism on X, with Piers Morgan tweeting: “The wokies have surrendered”, after a series of laughter emojis.

Mail on Sunday commentator, Dan Hodges, wrote on X: “The madness of the self styled progressive Left. ‘This platform is so influential it just helped determine the US election. So we’re leaving it’…”

The Spectator’s Steerpike column wrote: “The absurdity of the Guardian never fails to amuse. Now the lefty newspaper has decided it is too good for one of the world’s most used social media platforms and today announced it will no longer use Twitter – by posting on, er, Twitter.”

Commentator Isabel Oakeshott posted: “Send for trauma counsellors – the Guardian is in full on meltdown over [Donald Trump and Elon Musk‘s] takeover – the paper is officially boycotting this platform. Diddums!”

The Guardian’s main X account has 10.8 million followers, but it’s bio on Wednesday (November 13) said it has been archived.

This compares to the publication’s 1.3 million followers on Meta’s Threads, 8.9 million on Facebook and 5.8 million on Instagram.

The Guardian said it is able to stop posting on X as its business model “does not rely on viral content tailored to the whims of the social media giants’ algorithms”.

The publication is owned by Guardian Media Group, of which the Scott Trust is the sole shareholder.