Why Am I Following JD Vance on Instagram? The Unwanted Social Media Takeover
Let’s get straight to the point: if you’ve recently noticed yourself following JD Vance on Instagram without doing a thing, you’re not alone. Thanks to a behind-the-scenes collaboration between Meta and the U.S. government, millions of users were automatically enrolled as followers of the new Vice President’s @VP account after the January 20, 2025, inauguration. But here’s the kicker—no one asked for this. Why is this happening, and what does it say about the intersection of social media and political power?
The Great Instagram Follower Heist
When Donald Trump and JD Vance assumed office, their social media accounts inherited the followers of their predecessors. In other words, if you followed Kamala Harris’s @VP account, congratulations—you’re now part of Vance’s 17.4 million-strong Instagram fan club. Meta claims this is standard procedure, a seamless transition designed to ensure “continuity” in government communication. But let’s call it what it really is: a forced follow.
Andy Stone, Meta’s spokesperson, insists the process is above board, with old accounts archived and followers preserved. However, for users who didn’t opt into Vance’s brand of politics, it feels less like a smooth transition and more like a social media ambush.
The Cult of Personality: Vance’s Instagram Strategy
JD Vance’s Instagram bio describes him as a “Christian, husband, father”—a relatable everyman who also happens to be the Vice President of the United States. His posts balance policy updates with personal anecdotes, featuring everything from disaster relief efforts to moments with his family and his love of sports. It’s a carefully crafted image aimed at humanizing a polarizing political figure—and it’s working.
But let’s not kid ourselves. Vance’s Instagram growth isn’t just about relatability. It’s a calculated effort to leverage the platform’s massive reach, amplifying his message and solidifying his influence. With over 17 million followers and counting, Vance is proving to be a master of political branding in the digital age.
The Backlash: Users Fight Back Against Forced Follows
Not everyone is thrilled about being drafted into Vance’s Instagram following. Pop star Gracie Abrams voiced her frustration on Instagram Stories, complaining about repeatedly unfollowing the @VP and @POTUS accounts before finally resorting to blocking them. Her sentiment resonates with a broader backlash: users feel their autonomy is being disregarded for political convenience.
On platforms like Reddit, complaints about “forced follows” and “dictatorship vibes” abound. Some users have even reported glitches that make unfollowing or blocking the accounts an infuriating ordeal. It’s a stark reminder of how little control we actually have over our social media experience.
The Bigger Picture: Social Media as a Political Tool
The automatic follower transfer isn’t just a quirky feature—it’s a glimpse into the future of political communication. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have become indispensable tools for governments to broadcast their messages, and the automatic follower transfer ensures that new administrations can hit the ground running.
But at what cost? This practice blurs the line between public service and propaganda, forcing users into passive consumption of political content. It’s a power play that prioritizes reach over consent, raising serious questions about the role of tech giants in shaping political discourse.
Conclusion: Take Back Control (If You Can)
The automatic following of JD Vance on Instagram serves as a stark reminder of how little control we truly have over our digital lives. While Meta and the government frame it as a harmless transition, for many, it feels like an intrusion on user autonomy. If you’re uninterested in Vance’s posts, your only recourse is to unfollow or block the account—though, as many have found, that may require persistence.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about JD Vance or Instagram. It’s about who decides what we see online—and whether we have any say in the matter. So, the next time you find yourself following a politician you didn’t choose, ask yourself: who’s really in control of your feed?