The Washington Post announced on Friday (October 25) that it will not endorse any presidential candidate in this year’s election. This marks the first time in 36 years that the newspaper has made such a decision.
In a letter to readers, the publisher of The Washington Post, William Lewis, stated that the newspaper will not endorse any candidate for the 2024 election or any future presidential elections. He emphasized a return to the newspaper’s roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.
Lewis wrote, “We acknowledge that this decision will be interpreted in various ways, including as implicit support for a certain candidate, condemnation of another candidate, or abdication of responsibility. This is inevitable. However, we do not see it that way. We believe this aligns with the core values of the newspaper, as well as our expectations for leaders: service to American ethics of character and courage, reverence for the rule of law, and respect for all aspects of human freedom. We also see this as a statement, allowing our readers to make their own decision on the most important decision of selecting the next president of the United States through their vote.”
He further added that the newspaper’s role is “to provide nonpartisan news to all Americans through our newsroom and thoughtful perspectives through our editorial team to help our readers make their own decisions.”
In conclusion, Lewis stated, “Most importantly, as the newspaper of the capital of the most important country in the world, our job is to maintain independence. This is our work now and in the future.”
Following The Washington Post’s announcement of not endorsing a presidential candidate for the first time in 36 years, the paper’s contributing editor, Robert Kagan, resigned.
It was reported that the owner of the paper, billionaire Jeff Bezos, pressured the chief executive officer to refrain from making endorsements for presidential candidates.
The Washington Post has endorsed other candidates in this election, including supporting Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in the Maryland Senate race against former Republican governor Larry Hogan. In 2020, it endorsed the current president, Biden. In 2016, it supported the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.