Mary Trump has fired off a sharp critique of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos after The Washington Post decided not to endorse any presidential candidate in the upcoming election.
In a blog entry, Donald Trump’s estranged niece labeled Bezos’ choice an “egregious decision,” criticizing the paper’s abstention as a failure to take a stand between “a fairly centrist Democrat and a full-blown fascist.”
According to the Washington Post Guild, an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris was already in the works prior to the announcement.
NPR reported that Editorial Page Editor David Shipley had approved the draft when publisher William Lewis announced the paper would not only refrain from endorsing in this election but also in future presidential elections.
“Our role is to provide nonpartisan news and diverse opinions to empower our readers to make informed decisions,” Lewis stated.
He also defended Bezos, claiming inaccuracies were floating around regarding his influence, emphasizing that Bezos didn’t participate in any endorsement discussions.
That said, many voiced their anger over the decision. Actor Jeffrey Wright announced his subscription cancellation with a biting farewell, while Democratic strategist Matt McDermott labeled his cancellation the “easiest decision ever.” The backlash highlighted a marked shift from the paper’s previous editorial endorsements, where they had sharply criticized Trump in both 2016 and 2020.
Mary Trump’s criticism goes beyond the endorsement issue; she raised concerns about the intertwining of wealth and politics, specifically pointing out the timing of the paper’s announcement with a meeting between Donald Trump and Blue Origin executives, including a NASA contract holding worth $3.4 billion.
She suggested Bezos’ decisions stem from an arrogance common among the wealthy, stating, “aspiring oligarchs like Jeff Bezos should not play such a significant role in our elections or have undue influence in government.” She further warned that the lack of an endorsement might lead to troubling interpretations of the media’s role in politics.
