In total, 17 Dutch campaign groups and foundations are leaving social media platform X on Monday, to coincide with Donald Trump’s inauguration as president of the United States.

Oxfam/Novib, ActionAid Nederland, COC, PAX, Bits of Freedom, and Fossielvrij NL are among the organisations leaving the social media site, the boycott campaigners say.

“X is a political project and poses an increasing threat to our democracy and the rule of law,” said Jurjen van den Bergh, director of DeGoedeZaak, one of the organisers of the boycott.

“X is no longer a safe place for a good debate,” said Devika Partiman, founder of Stem op een Vrouw, which is also part of the boycott campaign.

“Because so many politicians use the platform, journalists feel obliged to stay there, and that means organisations and individuals who want to follow the public debate stay there too. It becomes a vicious circle, and no one dares to go first.”

Some 4,000 private individuals have also signed up for Monday’s departure.

The Dutch government said earlier this month it has no intention of stopping using social media channels X, Instagram and Facebook to spread information, despite calls from internet development organisations to do so.

Dutch News has recently added social media platform Bluesky to its social media package, offering a new way for readers to follow its complete news feed online. Dutch News also has a presence on Mastadon, Facebook and Instagram and you can pick up the podcast on Soundcloud. Dutch News remains on X for the time being.

News and media organisations KRO/NCRV, Trouw, and the Volkskrant have already left X, and political party Volt is poised to do so.