The Washington Post is facing significant fallout following its decision not to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
According to a report from NPR citing internal sources, the Post has lost over 200,000 digital subscribers since the announcement—representing about 8% of its total 2.5 million subscribers across digital and print platforms.
In a surprising turn, the decision to abstain from endorsing this year reportedly came directly from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who owns the paper.
According to sources, the Post’s editorial board had already prepared a statement in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, but Bezos ultimately vetoed the endorsement.
This unprecedented decision has sparked a wave of resignations among staff and prompted discontent among readers, some of whom have taken to social media to announce their subscription cancellations.
The decision is particularly striking given the Post’s reputation for promoting progressive and often left-leaning viewpoints, especially under Bezos’ ownership.
Its editorial stance has been seen as a bulwark against conservative policies and candidates, notably during the Trump administration.
Now, with the 2024 election on the horizon, many of the Post’s loyal readers and staff appear frustrated by what they view as a betrayal of the paper’s legacy and its “Democracy Dies in Darkness” motto, a slogan introduced under Bezos.
Several prominent figures within the Post have stepped down in protest.
Robert Kagan, a well-known editor-at-large, resigned on Friday, marking a significant loss for the publication.
Additionally, two members of the editorial board, Molly Roberts and David Hoffman, have also departed.
Roberts cited her departure as stemming from a strong belief that “the imperative to endorse Kamala Harris over Donald Trump is about as morally clear as it gets.”
Hoffman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, chose to step down from the board but retained his position at the paper.
In a message to his editors, he expressed disappointment but reiterated his commitment to the Post, where he has worked for over four decades.
The decision from Bezos has invited speculation about whether the newspaper is distancing itself from its former advocacy under the guise of neutrality.
Critics on social media and across other platforms have pointed out that the loss of subscribers is evidence of the dissatisfaction brewing among readers, particularly as the paper’s endorsement choices have traditionally aligned with its readership’s political expectations.
A spokesperson for the Washington Post declined to comment on the losses, but the silent response has only fueled further speculation among those both inside and outside the newsroom.
More liberal crybaby-ing. The lack of an endorsement says a LOT about Bezos and the political scene in general. I don’t think Bezos could be more clear if he even went right out and endorsed Trump. That of course for him would be a step too far, but IMO, what he did (or didn’t do) says volumes. Having been in and out of the world of Amazon for years, I find this one of the few really outstanding (in a good way) decision Bezos has made. (Yes I know he’s stepped down as CEO of Amazon but he still has much clout.)
Don’t worry! I’ll write for the Post…
IF I can work remotely. I’ll be your Conservative Commentator!
You don’t need “journalists” coming from Leftist schools. Try authentic, conservative normal people for a change!
The woke staff can’t stand the new owner. They want to be owned by someone (like them) who lives on welfare and votes Dim.
The people that are stupid enough to resign will not be missed. The Washington Post is a liberal rag and deserves to die. Maybe Whorris will have jobs for them at her new gig. After all she is promising lots of things like demonRATS always do to “buy” votes with all taxpayers money.
There will be some short term pain in order to re-establish the credibility of the media. Hope Bezos has the spine to do it.