Bezos’s Washington Post Faces Backlash Over Decision to Drop Presidential Endorsements
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Post, under the ownership of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced that it will no longer endorse presidential candidates, a decision breaking with a nearly 50-year tradition and stirring intense backlash both within and outside the newsroom. The decision has prompted speculation and criticism regarding the motives behind the move, especially given the paper’s previously pointed endorsements against Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
The Washington Post stated on Friday that the decision aligns with the publication’s goal of reinforcing journalistic independence, with CEO Will Lewis stating the shift would return the newspaper to “its roots.” The newspaper last abstained from presidential endorsements in 1972, a time marked by its commitment to non-partisanship. Lewis added, “Our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent.”
However, reports soon emerged suggesting that Bezos himself played a role in the decision, a claim raising concerns about potential business and political motives. Bezos acquired the Washington Post in 2013, and under his ownership, the paper has been a target of Donald Trump’s criticisms, who publicly denounced both Bezos and Amazon, even alleging that negative articles in the Post were attempts to undermine his presidency. In 2019, Amazon accused the Trump administration of interfering in a multi-billion dollar Pentagon contract, a deal that ultimately went to Microsoft, potentially costing Amazon as much as $10 billion.
While the Post’s editorial board had drafted an endorsement of Kamala Harris, the board was reportedly directed not to publish it, as confirmed by an article in the Post written by two staff reporters citing unnamed sources. The decision’s timing has fueled speculation among critics, who view it as a concession to avoid further political tensions between Bezos and Trump.
Since Friday’s announcement, criticism has poured in from various quarters. Former Post editor Marty Baron denounced the decision as “cowardice, with democracy as its casualty,” echoing widespread sentiments within the journalism community that Bezos’s ownership may be compromising the Post’s editorial independence. Additionally, high-profile journalists, including opinion writer Robert Kagan, have resigned in protest, while hundreds of readers announced subscription cancellations. A former editor-in-chief also stated, “The decision not to make an endorsement this close to the election leaves a void that could allow political pressure to influence an institution meant to stand for democracy.”
The Washington Post Guild, representing the paper’s staff, expressed “deep concern” in a public statement, questioning the editorial process behind the move and lamenting the potential long-term impacts on reader trust.
This decision not only raises questions about the influence of billionaire ownership in news media but also comes amid heightened scrutiny of other major news organizations owned by high-profile entrepreneurs, with similar shifts seen in editorial policy.
