After the Washington Post refused to officially endorse a political candidate this election, the mainstream media erupted into a meltdown as yet another left-leaning media outlet broke free from the practice of supporting Democratic candidates. The Editorial Board of the newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, released an official statement that it would no longer be making officials endorsement of presidential candidates going forward.
“The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election,” according to the statement released by the Washington Post Editorial board. “Nor in any future presidential election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates,” it added, explaining that it would return to not taking official stances on presidential elections.
“We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable. We don’t see it that way,” the newspaper added, defending its positions. However, prominent leftist figures voiced their disdain for this decision.
Liberal Washington Post editor Karen Attiah expressed her disagreement with the decision on social media, writing, “Jesus Christ.” She added, “Today has been an absolute stab in the back. What an insult to those of us who have literally put our careers and lives on the line, to call out threats to human rights and democracy.”
Similarly, Marty Baron, the WaPo’s former executive editor, claimed the decision was the result of “cowardice” with “democracy as its casualty.” He said, “@realdonaldtrump will see this as an invitation to further intimidate owner @jeffbezos (and others). Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famed for courage.”
Other Democratic figures reacted with alarmism, touting the typical Democratic talking point that the nation is barreling toward “fascism” if Republicans hold power. “The first step towards fascism is when the free press cowers in fear,” said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA).
Former Obama official Ben Rhodes weighed in, “There is no logic that isn’t damning as to why the Washington Post and LA Times feel they can endorse in every local, state and federal election other than a presidential race.” He added, “It’s not that these endorsements tip the balance in an election; it’s that self-censoring because you are afraid of retribution from an authoritarian tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of management.”
The former Obama administration official continued, “What’s truly depressing is how much this is a mirror to the rot in the American economy and society today: you end up governed by self-interested autocrats when there is no value higher than personal profit.” he further noted, “A lot of the Russian oligarchs who owned media properties in the late 90s helped or enabled Putin’s rise to power thinking it would help them. Today, Putin controls every major outlet in Russia.”
Susan Rice, who has worked for both former President Barrack Obama and President Joe Biden, said,“So much for ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness.’ This is the most hypocritical, chicken s*** move from a publication that is supposed to hold people in power to account.” Similarly, staunch Trump critic and actor Rob Reiner said, “The Washington Post editorial board is a disgrace. For the newspaper that exposed the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal to not take a position and endorse a candidate in the most consequential Presidential election in 165 years is reprehensible.”
Watch this concerning clip from the recent Kamala Harris town hall below:
"*" indicates required fields