Washington Post Declines 2024 Presidential Endorsement

The Washington Post has made the unprecedented decision to not endorse any candidate for the upcoming presidential election, a move that has sparked outrage among many readers and critics. This decision, attributed to owner Jeff Bezos, has led to subscription cancellations from loyal readers, including notable figures like actor Jeffrey Wright. Critics argue that the lack of endorsement serves as an implicit endorsement of Donald Trump, whom the paper previously labeled a significant threat to democracy. Former executive editor Marty Baron condemned the decision as cowardice, suggesting that it encourages further intimidation from Trump. Additionally, the Washington Post Guild expressed deep concerns over management's influence on editorial decisions, stating that this undermines the trust of their readership. The editorial board's inaction follows a similar pattern at the Los Angeles Times, where an endorsement of Harris was also blocked by its owner earlier this week.