[dagw]

someone needs to explain to me why political and/or public figures are still active and using this garbage platform.

Because that's where the journalists hang out. If you want journalists to see and report on your words and activities you have to be where they are, since they are far too lazy to go out and find you.

[jeffbee]

A huge portion of legit journos have sworn off Twitter. Entire networks have left Twitter. Most of the writers that I followed there are now found only on Bluesky.

[dagw]

A huge portion of legit journos have sworn off Twitter

They may have sworn off posting to Twitter, but I bet you most of them are on Twitter every single day looking for 'stories'

[nemo44x]

Those are activists that call themselves journalists.

[jeffbee]

Ah yes, in order to not be "an activist" you must post on Twitter. Well-known fact.