Shortly after The Washington Post declared on Friday that it wouldn’t endorse either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential race, backlash erupted from Democrats on social media. Many were puzzled, especially since the paper had previously been critical of Trump in past election cycles.
Notable figures like actor Jeffrey Wright, who narrated a video for Harris at the Democratic National Convention, expressed their dismay by canceling their subscriptions. Wright shared a screenshot of his canceled subscription on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Washington Post. Hometown paper. Grew up with it. Bye, b*****.”
Democratic strategist Matt McDermott followed suit, tweeting, “easiest decision ever, @washingtonpost” after canceling his subscription, while the Washington Post Guild noted a flurry of cancellations from loyal readers soon after the announcement.
Critics quickly pointed out the paper’s slogan, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” juxtaposing it against past headlines that condemned Trump. User Reeves commented, “Four years later, the paper, famous for its tagline ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness,’ doesn’t want to take a stand on who is fit to be president.” Skyler Johnson from Suffolk Young Democrats quipped that the slogan now seems like “their promise” rather than a rallying cry.
Others, like former deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes, criticized the decision as a reflection of fear among leadership at the paper. He lamented, “self-censoring because you are afraid of retribution from an authoritarian tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of management.”
Disappointment also spread within the newsroom. Editor-at-large Robert Kagen stepped down from the editorial board in protest, while former executive editor Martin Baron described the situation as “cowardice” that ultimately threatens democracy.
What led to The Washington Post‘s decision not to endorse?
William Lewis, the publisher and CEO of The Post, explained that the paper would refrain from endorsing any presidential candidate in this or future elections. This marks a shift from its history of endorsements, including President Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, in which Trump was harshly criticized.
Lewis’ announcement emphasized that The Washington Post aims to provide nonpartisan news and diverse opinions to empower readers to make informed decisions, asserting its commitment to independence as the newspaper of the U.S. capital.
Was an endorsement for Kamala Harris in the works?
Interestingly, the Washington Post Guild revealed that a draft endorsement for Harris had already been prepared. Editorial page editor David Shipley reportedly informed colleagues that the Harris endorsement was under consideration before the announcement was made.
What’s Jeff Bezos’ role in this?
The Guild stated that the decision to withhold the Harris endorsement ultimately came from owner Jeff Bezos. Since acquiring the paper in 2013, Bezos’ influence has raised questions about editorial independence, particularly regarding this significant decision.