The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, has decided to stop endorsing presidential candidates, starting with the upcoming election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. This move goes against the tradition of the Post endorsing candidates since 1976. The decision was reportedly made by Bezos himself, with the Publisher and CEO William Lewis relaying the new directive in a published note. Former Post editor Marty Baron criticized the decision, calling it cowardice and suggesting that it would allow Trump to further intimidate Bezos.
Opinion staff at the Post are furious about the endorsement decision, with some contemplating resigning or making a public statement. Bezos purchased the Post in 2013 for $250 million. Before stepping aside, Baron spoke about Bezos’s belief in the mission of journalism and democracy, highlighting the importance of the media in sustaining a democracy. The move towards non-endorsement by the Post follows a similar decision by The Los Angeles Times, where the editorials editor resigned after the owner blocked a plan to endorse Harris.
NPR reported that Washington Post staffers learned of the decision at a tense meeting with editorial page editor David Shipley. The decision by Bezos to not endorse presidential candidates may be related to the fact that his other businesses have significant contracts with the federal government. In a recent post on X, Bezos expressed thankfulness for Trump’s safety after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. This decision by Bezos to pull the Post from the business of endorsing candidates has sparked backlash and criticism from both within the paper and outside observers.
The decision to end endorsements comes just 11 days before Election Day, marking a significant departure from the long-standing tradition of the Post. With the Post’s motto being “Democracy dies in darkness,” the move has raised concerns about the implications for democracy and journalistic integrity. The response to the decision has been mixed, with some threatening to cancel their subscriptions while others see it as a necessary step in maintaining the paper’s credibility. It remains to be seen how this decision will affect the Post’s reputation and relationship with its readers and the political landscape more broadly.
