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The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced on Friday that it will not endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. CEO William Lewis said the decision was a "return to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates." This marks a significant shift, as the newspaper has endorsed Democratic candidates in every election for nearly four decades. The decision reflects The Post’s stance in one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history.
Despite the diminished influence of editorial endorsements, The Washington Post's choice is noteworthy due to the paper’s lasting impact among Washington insiders, coupled with its slogan, "Democracy dies in darkness." Trump’s campaign responded immediately, asserting that Harris’s candidacy was so weak it prompted The Post to renounce endorsements altogether.
The Washington Post Guild, representing unionized staff, expressed "deep concern," noting subscription cancellations from formerly loyal readers. Reportedly, editor-at-large Robert Kagan resigned in protest over the decision. This move follows a similar stance by the Los Angeles Times, where owner Patrick Soon-Shiong allegedly blocked an endorsement for Harris, leading editorial editor Mariel Garza to resign.
Although Bezos is rumored to have blocked The Post's editorial board from endorsing Harris, sources close to the leadership have disputed this. In contrast, The New York Times endorsed Harris in September, calling her "the only patriotic choice for president" while criticizing Trump as unfit for office. Similarly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, a major paper in Pennsylvania, endorsed Harris, describing the election as “an easy but tectonic choice.” The New York Post, owned by Rupert Murdoch, endorsed Trump, calling him “today’s heroic leader.”
In a statement, Lewis emphasized The Post’s dedication to nonpartisan news and informed, thought-provoking opinions. Former executive editor Marty Baron criticized the decision, calling it "cowardice" that could harm democratic principles and embolden Trump’s influence over Bezos.
This shift highlights the complex dynamics at play as major U.S. media outlets weigh their role in a highly divided election season.
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