Washington Post staff frustrated over Harris endorsement delay
Bezos and Lewis delay Harris endorsement as Trump gains ground
The Washington Post faces mounting tension as staff grow impatient over the lack of endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. Rumours circulate that owner Jeff Bezos may be influencing this decision, possibly to avoid conflict with former President Donald Trump. The editorial board has reportedly prepared an endorsement, but Bezos and Publisher Will Lewis seem to be in a standoff over its release.
Just days before the 2024 US presidential election, Donald Trump seeks a second term while Kamala Harris, the current Vice President, challenges him after Joe Biden stepped down. Major media outlets, celebrities, and political analysts have made their endorsements, yet The Washington Post remains silent. Insiders suggest Bezos, the Amazon founder, might be cautious about endorsing Harris to avoid alienating Trump as he gains momentum.
Recent polls indicate a tight race, with Harris slightly ahead in key swing states. Despite Trump’s earlier conviction in the Hush Money trial, he is gaining ground in betting markets, often seen as more immediate indicators than traditional polls.
Is Jeff Bezos Holding Kamala Harris's Endorsement?
Staffers' Restlessness The Washington Post's radio silence on endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency is causing unrest among its staff. Despite the editorial board having reportedly penned an endorsement ready… pic.twitter.com/Zq2sMz8pkF
— Shubham (@ShubhamRanga_) October 25, 2024
Former CNN media observer Oliver Darcy disclosed in his new outlet, Status, that The Washington Post has a drafted endorsement for Harris, awaiting approval from Bezos and Lewis. This delay puzzles staff, especially with 20 million voters having already cast ballots and Election Day less than two weeks away. The newspaper’s historical support for Democratic figures like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden makes its hesitation to endorse Harris noteworthy.
The situation at The Washington Post contrasts with the Los Angeles Times, where interference from Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong prevented the editorial board from endorsing a candidate, leading to editor Mariel Garza’s resignation. Soon-Shiong expressed a preference for readers to evaluate candidates independently. Wealthy businesspeople seem to avoid public political endorsements to steer clear of potential fallout.
Elon Musk has openly supported Trump since an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, continuing to back him and rally for his campaign. Trump’s endorsements from Silicon Valley remain strong. However, Forbes reports that Harris enjoys more billionaire support than Trump, with backers like Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and Vinod Khosla, among others. Trump claimed Mark Zuckerberg told him he wouldn’t vote for a Democrat, but a Meta spokesperson clarified that Zuckerberg has not endorsed anyone or shared his voting intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why hasn’t The Washington Post endorsed Kamala Harris yet?
Rumors suggest Jeff Bezos may be cautious about endorsing Harris to avoid conflict with Trump.
Is there an endorsement ready for Kamala Harris at The Washington Post?
Yes, the editorial board has reportedly prepared an endorsement awaiting approval from Bezos and Lewis.
Why might Jeff Bezos be hesitant to endorse Kamala Harris?
Bezos might be cautious to avoid alienating Trump, who is gaining momentum.
How does The Washington Post’s hesitation compare with other newspapers?
Unlike The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times saw editorial interference prevent an endorsement.
Who are some of the high-profile billionaires supporting Kamala Harris?
Harris is backed by Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and Vinod Khosla, among others.
