In the weeks leading up to last month’s presidential election, many major newspapers dutifully published endorsements of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
A few outlets abstained, however, including the notable example of the Washington Post, which is owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Although he received pushback from the left over the decision, he has since reiterated his belief that it was the right thing to do.
According to Fox News:
After recalling the history of The Post, citing how the organization historically did not endorse candidates up until after Watergate, he explained, “We just decided that, you know, it wasn’t going to help … it wasn’t going to influence the election either way.”
“There’s no evidence that newspaper endorsements influence elections,” Bezos said. “No independent voter in Pennsylvania at that time was gonna say, ‘Oh! Is that what the Washington Post thinks? Well, then I’ll do that.’ So that wasn’t going to happen.” “We just decided that the pluses of [an endorsement] were very small and it added to the perception of bias,” he continued. “At the same time, you know, we’re struggling with the issue that all traditional media is struggling with, which is a very difficult and significant loss of trust.”
He said the media not only has to be accurate, but the people have to believe it’s accurate.
Bezos and the Post received scathing rebukes and subscription cancellations from leftists who were incensed that the newspaper didn’t endorse their preferred candidate:
Read this powerful letter from nine of our columnists on our website tonight.
“The Washington Post’s decision not to make an endorsement in the presidential campaign is a terrible mistake.” pic.twitter.com/KLEvGYig6g
— Caroline Kitchener (@CAKitchener) October 25, 2024
Please, cancel your @washingtonpost subscription. The newspaper refuses to endorse VP Harris based on some BS bothsidism. They're ignoring clear signs of an evil, unfit, vile Nazi. The Washington Post is clearly shirking their responsibility with our democracy and lives. pic.twitter.com/gEu9CtuZlX
— Mae "I Dissent" 🫶🏽 (@MaeWilbon) October 25, 2024
Are you a Washington Post reader concerned with today’s decision for the Editorial Board to not endorse a candidate this election cycle?
Send a letter to CEO and Publisher Will Lewis and Editorial Page Editor David Shipley: https://t.co/zXSe0cMuuV pic.twitter.com/UDzMzYfMnS
— Washington Post Guild (@PostGuild) October 25, 2024
The Washington Post is refusing to endorse anyone for President.
I just canceled my subscription.
Jeff Bezos can get bent.
Let’s get #BoycottWaPo trending!
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) October 25, 2024
Other newspapers seem to have learned a lesson from the results of the most recent election, as reported by National Review:
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings announced Friday he is joining the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times, whose owner said earlier this month he wants to make the left-leaning publication more balanced in its viewpoints.
Jennings, who frequently appears on CNN, said he accepted Patrick Soon-Shiong’s request to join the editorial board after the billionaire owner announced the hire Tuesday. Jennings has contributed columns to the Times since 2019 and has regularly appeared on CNN since 2017.
“I’ve written columns for the paper over the last few years and was honored to do so under such a storied and important masthead,” the political contributor wrote on X. “I love newspapers and believe in strong journalism and strong opinion pages that represent a wide array of views. I approach my commentary jobs by starting with the truth and then providing my honest opinion based on my conservative values and experience.”
“I think Dr Soon-Shiong is doing something important and groundbreaking and am honored he asked me to play a role in that,” he added.
During an appearance on Fox News after the presidential election, Soon-Shiong named Jennings as a model candidate for the newspaper’s revamped editorial board.
“I think it’s important for us to differentiate [that] the editorial board is responsible for these opinions on these voices,” Soon-Shiong told Fox News @ Night host Trace Gallagher. “So, right now, we don’t have an editorial board if we are truly honest about ourselves that are balanced. And so, I’ve gotten beaten up about fair and balance[sic]. So, I’m looking for people like Scott Jennings.”
Here’s a clip of Bezos’ recent remarks:
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