In a pivotal moment leading up to the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, a major American newspaper breaks from its decades-long tradition of political endorsements.
According to NPR, The Washington Post announced Friday it will not endorse a presidential candidate for the first time since 1988, marking a significant departure from its 36-year practice of taking sides in presidential races.
The announcement came from Will Lewis, the paper's publisher and CEO, who explained the decision as a return to the newspaper's pre-1976 approach. The move follows the Post's historical shift that began when it endorsed Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter following the Watergate scandal, which the paper famously uncovered.
Editorial page editor David Shipley had previously approved a draft endorsement for Vice President Harris, which was under review by Jeff Bezos, the paper's billionaire owner. The decision to withhold any endorsement was met with uniform disapproval from colleagues during a tense staff meeting.
The announcement triggered immediate resignations, including editor-at-large Robert Kagan, who had been vocal about Trump's perceived autocratic tendencies. The Washington Post Guild expressed serious concerns about management interference in journalism, particularly given that the editorial board had already drafted a statement supporting Harris.
Former Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron offered a stark assessment of the situation. His statement to NPR reads:
This is cowardice, a moment of darkness that will leave democracy as a casualty. Donald Trump will celebrate this as an invitation to further intimidate The Post's owner, Jeff Bezos (and other media owners). History will mark a disturbing chapter of spinelessness at an institution famed for courage.
The impact was immediate and measurable, with the Post losing over 1,600 digital subscriptions within four hours of the announcement. The controversy ran so deep that the paper's chief technology officer directed engineers to block questions about the decision on the Post's AI site search.
The Post's corporate representatives maintained silence beyond Lewis's statement, while internal correspondence revealed growing concern about subscriber retention. The decision has sparked debates about editorial independence and corporate influence in major news organizations.
The Post's decision mirrors recent events at the Los Angeles Times, where owner Patrick Soon-Shiong's similar stance led to multiple resignations, including editorials editor Mariel Garza. She criticized the decision as making the paper appear "craven and hypocritical" given its previous reporting on Trump.
Trump's campaign rhetoric has included specific threats against journalists, including promises to jail reporters who protect source confidentiality. He has also threatened to strip broadcasting licenses from three major television networks despite federal regulations that only license local stations.
Jeff Bezos's role as owner has come under scrutiny, particularly given his substantial government contracts through Amazon's shipping business, cloud computing services, and Blue Origin space company. The selection of Will Lewis as publisher, known for his conservative credentials and relationships with figures like Rupert Murdoch, suggests a strategic shift in leadership.
The contrast with 2016 is striking, as revealed in Martin Baron's memoir. Then-publisher Fred Ryan's reluctance to endorse in the Trump-Clinton race was overruled by Bezos, who questioned why they wouldn't make an endorsement. This reversal in 2024 marks a significant change in the owner's approach to political endorsements.
The Washington Post's decision represents more than a simple policy change. It reflects the complex challenges facing modern media organizations as they balance traditional journalistic roles with changing political landscapes and corporate interests. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the role of major news organizations in shaping public opinion during critical electoral moments. As the 2024 election approaches, this decision may influence how other media outlets approach their own endorsement policies.
