Washington Post owner, Jeff Bezos, addressed the the uproar over the newspaper’s decision not to endorse a candidate in the presidential election.
In an op-ed, Bezos clarified that the move, which he personally initiated, aims to preserve trust in media amid declining credibility, rather than serving his business interests.
“What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. A perception of non-independence. Ending them is a principled decision, and it’s the right one,” the Amazon founder began.
“I would also like to be clear that no quid pro quo of any kind is at work here. Neither campaign nor candidate was consulted or informed at any level or in any way about this decision. It was made entirely internally.”
Acknowledging reports that Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin, one of his companies, met former President Trump on the same day the Post announced its non-endorsement stance, Bezos remarked, “I sighed when I found out, because I knew it would provide ammunition to those who would like to frame this as anything other than a principled decision.”
Bezos admitted to not being an ideal Post owner, given potential conflicts between its coverage and his business interests.
“Every day, somewhere, some Amazon executive or Blue Origin executive or someone from the other philanthropies and companies I own or invest in is meeting with government officials,” he noted.
Bezos reportedly stopped an editorial endorsing Vice President Harris after it was already drafted, asserting,
“Lack of credibility isn’t unique to The Post. Our brethren newspapers have the same issue. And it’s a problem not only for media, but also for the nation.”
The decision drew internal protest, editorial board resignations, and reportedly cost over 200,000 digital subscribers within four days.
Despite the consequences, Bezos stood by his choice to diverge from decades-long tradition.
“To win this fight, we will have to exercise new muscles. Some changes will be a return to the past, and some will be new inventions,” he concluded.
“Criticism will be part and parcel of anything new, of course. This is the way of the world. None of this will be easy, but it will be worth it.”
Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who backs Kamala Harris criticized Bezos during a New Yorker festival interview, claiming he’s “afraid” to endorse the vice president due to Trump.
“When you have Jeff Bezos apparently afraid to issue an endorsement for the only candidate in the race who’s a stable responsible adult because he fears Donald Trump, that tells you why we have to work so hard to make sure that Donald Trump isn’t elected,” she commented.
“And I think also, why we ought to not forget what has happened, forget who’s taken brave and courageous stands,” she added, before noting that she had canceled her subscription to the newspaper.
