The myth of the X exodus
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 2 December 2024
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
It started two years ago, when Elon Musk bought Twitter, now X. People fled the social media platform, citing a change in the algorithm and concerns over the unchecked spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories and hate speech. Following the US election and Musk's appointment to Donald Trump's team, millions more have departed - including The Guardian newspaper. So, does this signal a sea change in our social media habits? Or is this just a momentary tiff?
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory
Guest: Danny Fortson, US West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producer: Edith Rousselot.
Clips: CNN, MSNBC, NBC News, TalkTV.
Photo: Getty Images.
Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Introducing Instagram teen accounts with new built-in protections. |
| 0:06.0 | Teen accounts are private by default, helping to protect them from unwanted contact, |
| 0:11.0 | and teenagers under 16 require parental approval to change these protections. |
| 0:17.0 | Instagram teen accounts, new built-in protections for parents' peace of mind. |
| 0:24.0 | Learn more at Instagram.com slash teen accounts. |
| 0:32.1 | This episode of the story is sponsored by John Lewis Money. |
| 0:36.1 | Are you an early and organised Christmas gift by, Manvine? |
| 0:39.2 | No, not at all. I'm totally last minute. What about you? |
| 0:43.4 | I was finished weeks ago. I'm wrapped, stocking stuffed. It's basically Easter now. |
| 0:47.9 | I've set aside the 23rd December to make a start. Eek. |
| 0:53.1 | Oh, talk about last minute. Good look. Well, John Lewis can sort |
| 0:56.2 | you out. They are a festive one-stop shop with all the latest tech, homeware, festive decorations |
| 1:01.3 | and fashion and beauty bits for the whole family. They even do money too, Manveen. At John Lewis |
| 1:06.8 | Money, in-house experts and trusted partners work together to offer money products for real |
| 1:11.8 | life. From the John Lewis Partnership Credit Card to insurance and travel money, they can help you |
| 1:17.3 | think outside the bank. To find out more, search John Lewis Partnership Credit Card. Credit |
| 1:23.4 | subject to status, 18 years plus, UK residents, T&Cs apply. |
| 1:29.0 | John Lewis PLC is a credit broker. New Day Limited is the lender. |
| 1:35.1 | From the Times and the Sunday Times, this is the story. |
| 1:39.6 | I'm Manvien Rana. |
| 1:48.8 | Yeah. Vimranah. It started as a trickle, but pretty soon it felt like everyone was at it. |
| 1:55.9 | The election is creating an earthquake in the social media universe. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Times, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Times and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.