Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos reportedly put the kibosh on the newspaper by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election — leading to an editorial board member stepping down and its left-leaning staff facing harsh criticism .
According to NPR, the Beltway broadsheet said Friday it would not endorse either candidate, breaking a 36-year tradition, after a “tense” newsroom.
The newspaper then published an article written by two journalists that said the editorial page staff had drafted an endorsement of Democratic nominee Harris over former President Donald Trump.
“The decision not to publish was made by The Post’s owner — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,” The Post reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the events.
Publisher Will Lewis, who was hired by Bezos in January, told readers of the decision in an online note.
“The Washington Post will not endorse a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election,” he wrote.
“We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.”
Lewis’ note added: “We recognize that this will be read in a number of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as a denial of responsibility. “it is inevitable. We don’t see it that way. We see this as consistent with the values for which The Post has always stood and what we expect from a leader: character and courage in the service of American morality, respect for the rule of law, and respect for human liberty in all its aspects. Respect for. ,
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According to NPR, the decision led to the resignation of editorial board member Robert Kagan, a frequent critic of Trump.
Bezos is the second richest person in the world with net worth Rated by Bloomberg Billionaires Index At $209 billion as of Friday, Was a constant target of Trump During his first term in office – Mainly because of the Washington Post’s coverage of his administration.
Some Washpo insiders have speculated that Bezos does not want to alienate Trump as he builds momentum to retake the White House.
Bezos has not publicly considered running for president.
Marty Baron, former editor of The Washington Post, called the newspaper’s decision “cowardly, at the expense of democracy.”
″@realdonaldtrump will see this as an invitation to further bully boss @jeffbezos (and others),” Barron wrote on X. “Disturbing spinelessness in an institution renowned for courage.”
Uniform decision to stop support by Los Angeles Times owner and billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong That newsroom has been destroyed led to resignations Newspaper editorial editor and two editorial board members,
The Washington Post endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020, publishing its endorsements much earlier in previous election cycles.
The New York Times endorsed Harris on September 30.
The New York Post endorsed Trump on Friday.
Lewiswho served as CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal, sister publication of The New York Post, as well as editor of the London-based Telegraph, was hired to increase the outlet’s conservative readership.
Sources told NPR that Bezos hired Lewis In part for his ability to mingle with powerful conservative political figures, but he has so far been able to A lightning rod figure on paper.
In June, the fiery British-born media executive shook up The Post’s ranks, forcing Sally Buzbee, the newspaper’s first female executive editor in its 144-year history, to resign. after a three-year term It suffered from poor finances and readership.
