Washington Post takes neutral stance in US Presidential race for first time in decades
Photo: The Washington Post did not endorse any of the US presidential candidates (Getty Images)
For the first time in nearly 40 years, The Washington Post has chosen not to endorse any candidate in the US presidential race this year, according to the newspaper's website.
According to the publication, the decision was made by WP owner Jeff Bezos.
The decision, announced 11 days before the election, sparked immediate backlash from a wide range of subscribers, political figures, and media commentators.
Public reaction to the decision
Robert Kagan, a longtime Post columnist and chief editor of the opinion section, resigned in protest, and 11 Washington Post columnists signed an article condemning the decision.
Angry readers and sources flooded employees' inboxes with complaints.
“We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable,” wrote CEO William Lewis.
Lewis also described the decision as a "statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds."
Just hours after the announcement, a group of Washington Post columnists, including Pulitzer Prize winner Eugene Robinson and former deputy editorial page editor Ruth Marcus, called the decision a "grave mistake."
“This is a moment for the institution to be making clear its commitment to democratic values, the rule of law and international alliances, and the threat that Donald Trump poses to them — the precise points The Post made in endorsing Trump’s opponents in 2016 and 2020,” he noted.
WP not the first to refrain from endorsement
The Post's decision marks the second instance this week of a major media organization refusing to endorse in the race between Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Earlier this week, Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times, blocked a planned endorsement of Harris, prompting the resignation of the newspaper's editorial page editor.
Previous WP endorsement for Harris
According to the publication, an endorsement of Harris had been prepared by Post editorial staff. Still, it had not yet been published, according to two people briefed on the events who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Anonymous sources reported that The Post's owner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, decided not to publish an endorsement.
"This is Washington Post’s decision not to endorse, and I would send you the publisher's full statement," said communications director Cathy Bird.
US election
In the 2024 US election, the main candidates were Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic Party nominee after incumbent President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, and former President Donald Trump from the Republican Party.
The campaign has focused on key issues such as economic stability, immigration policy, healthcare, and social reforms.
According to the latest Bloomberg polls, Harris and Trump are currently tied in seven key states.
