Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of Amazon and The Washington Post, defended the newspaper’s decision to stop endorsing presidential candidates, stating that endorsements do not influence elections and can create perceptions of bias. The newspaper’s publisher announced the break from tradition and decision sparked backlash, with losses in digital subscribers and editorial board members resigning. The decision was reportedly made by Bezos himself. Bezos admitted the change could have been handled better and denied any quid pro quo with former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. He insisted that he would not use the publication for personal interests and emphasized the importance of maintaining The Post as a credible and independent voice. The editorial board members who resigned believed endorsing a candidate, specifically Harris over Trump, was necessary to combat what they saw as a threat to democracy and the free press posed by Trump. The decision not to endorse was a departure from other newspapers, such as the Los Angeles Times, which also chose not to back a candidate. Bezos stressed the need for The Post to adapt to remain relevant and competitive in a changing media landscape.
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Jeff Bezos stands by Washington Post’s choice to cease presidential endorsements days prior to election
