Barack Obama smashes Twitter record
US President Barack Obama has smashed the Twitter record for the fastest time to reach one million followers — but they won’t be following him in around 18 months.
The White House has used Twitter to communicate policy in the past but a new@POTUS handle was yesterday set up for the President’s personal use.
Mr Obama reached one million followers in less than five hours, fittingly enough overtaking another iconic American, Ironman … well, Robert Downey Jr who took 23 hours to reach the same mark.
He still has some way to go before he surpasses his other account, which is run by Organizing for Action staff and has 59.4 million followers.
Next in line to take the record? Well it could be Mr Obama again. As the President puts it “The handle comes with the House”, with the account to be inherited by the next President, with Bill Clinton quickly replying to put Hillary’s name into the frame.
A time-lapse graphic from Twitter illustrated how quickly social media users around the globe were to follow the account.
Australian politicians were quick to jump on board and follow @POTUS, with tech-savvy Kevin Rudd zipping in to lead the way.
Labor heavyweights Chris Bowen, Anthony Albanese and Wayne Swan were also quick to follow, but as of this afternoon accounts associated with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Labor leader Bill Shorten are yet to sign up.
The White House has used Twitter to communicate policy in the past but a new@POTUS handle was yesterday set up for the President’s personal use.
Mr Obama reached one million followers in less than five hours, fittingly enough overtaking another iconic American, Ironman … well, Robert Downey Jr who took 23 hours to reach the same mark.
He still has some way to go before he surpasses his other account, which is run by Organizing for Action staff and has 59.4 million followers.
Next in line to take the record? Well it could be Mr Obama again. As the President puts it “The handle comes with the House”, with the account to be inherited by the next President, with Bill Clinton quickly replying to put Hillary’s name into the frame.
A time-lapse graphic from Twitter illustrated how quickly social media users around the globe were to follow the account.
How conversation about @POTUS joining Twitter spread around the globe: twitterdata.cartodb.com/viz/452f2280-f….
Australian politicians were quick to jump on board and follow @POTUS, with tech-savvy Kevin Rudd zipping in to lead the way.
Labor heavyweights Chris Bowen, Anthony Albanese and Wayne Swan were also quick to follow, but as of this afternoon accounts associated with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Labor leader Bill Shorten are yet to sign up.
Welcome to the great starship Twitter from all who voyage inthe twitterverse.Tell staff it really doesn't hurt a bit twitter.com/potus/status/6…
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