
The Washington Post is experiencing a wave of resignations after owner Jeff Bezos reportedly blocked an editorial board endorsement for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Veteran editorial board member Molly Roberts resigned on Monday, with David Hoffman also expected to step down in protest of the paper’s decision, which has not withheld a presidential endorsement since 1988.
Publisher Will Lewis defended the decision, suggesting it was part of a strategy to “return to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.” However, insiders reveal that the board had initially prepared an endorsement for Harris before Bezos intervened, leaving staff feeling that the decision was inconsistent with the Post’s editorial mission.
This controversy follows resignations from prominent figures, including Michele Norris, who left Sunday, calling the lack of endorsement “an insult” to the paper’s standards. Editor-at-large Robert Kagan, married to former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, also exited last week, expressing his frustration over the move.
The editorial turmoil at the Post coincides with a similar stance at the Los Angeles Times, where management has also chosen not to endorse in this election, prompting a notable exit of pro-Harris journalists there as well.
The Post’s endorsement stance has ignited debate over its editorial direction and prompted some to question whether corporate interests are influencing journalistic independence. As the 2024 election approaches, the unfolding situation underscores the shifting dynamics in legacy media outlets and the rising challenges in balancing principles with ownership oversight.