The Washington Post's decision to halt presidential endorsements has sparked a major reaction, with the outlet reportedly losing 250,000 subscribers, approximately 10% of its 2.5 million base, since the announcement on Friday. According to NPR’s David Folkenflik, these cancellations are based on subscriber emails sent since the decision. Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos defended the move, citing the need to build public trust in journalism, which he said has seen a significant decline, now even trailing Congress in some surveys.
Bezos framed the decision as part of a broader strategy to tackle declining trust, referencing a Gallup poll that ranked journalism as the least trusted profession in America. “Something we are doing is clearly not working,” Bezos stated. Bob Woodward, a prominent Washington Post journalist, disagreed, noting the outlet’s long-standing role in reporting on figures like Donald Trump, supported by its editorial perspective.
This shift aligns with a broader industry trend. USA Today, owned by Gannett, also recently announced it would not endorse presidential candidates, though it will still make recommendations for state and local races. USA Today representative Lark-Marie Antón explained the decision, emphasizing the importance of local decision-making.
In his statement, Bezos argued that endorsements can often create an appearance of bias, a factor he believes hinders the integrity of journalism. By moving away from presidential endorsements, Bezos says the Post aims to maintain a reputation for independent reporting.
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