Adding to the historic makeup of the 2024 election, the Washington Post announced 11 days prior to election day that the paper would not be endorsing either candidate for the first time in 36 years.
A few days earlier, the Los Angeles Times also broke tradition, choosing not to publicly support either candidate. Both papers’ owners, Jeff Bezos and Soon-Shiong respectively, denied the editorial decision to endorse democratic candidate Kamala Harris, according to CNN and CBS news.
The Washington Post originally endorsed Jimmy Carter in 1976 following Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal. Endorsements are written by the editorial staff whose jobs are to report their opinions while news staff report unbiased facts regarding the election.
Yet, the papers are defending their actions as Jeff Bezos claims it will provide increased credibility for The Washington Post as it will not show bias by supporting either side. Moreover, Washington Post publisher Will Lewis says it aligns with the paper’s morals as they believe its readers have the ability to choose for themselves.
However, this decision has led a quarter of a million readers to cancel their Washington Post subscription as of Oct. 30.
The announcement coming within two weeks of the election where the results may be the most consequential in recent history has additionally angered many of the paper’s current and former staff.
Regarding the Los Angeles Times, three editorial board members resigned due to the paper’s silence, whereas one-third of the Posts’ editorial board has stepped down.
Despite backlash, the Washington Post plans to not back either candidate in future elections.
