Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post (WP), stated that the decision for WP not to openly endorse Democratic Vice President Harris in the U.S. presidential election was an effort to restore trust in the media. In an op-ed for WP on the 28th (local time), Bezos argued that no voter supports a candidate simply because a newspaper endorses them and that such endorsements create a perception of bias and lack of independence.
Bezos expressed concern over the declining trust in journalism, citing a Gallup poll indicating that trust in the media and journalists has fallen below that of Congress, making their profession one of the least trusted. He likened newspapers to vote counters, emphasizing the need for accuracy and public trust in their accuracy.
Bezos also referred to Eugene Meyer, WP’s publisher from 1933 to 1946, who chose not to endorse presidential candidates. He suggested that refraining from endorsements is a significant step toward enhancing credibility, though lamented that this decision could have been made earlier.
He dismissed claims that the decision was related to his business interests, challenging anyone to find an example in the past 11 years where he pressured WP staff for personal gain. Instead, he insisted that his stance is principled and supported by his track record as WP’s owner since 2013.
Bezos clarified that when WP announced their decision not to endorse Harris while Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin (one of Bezos’s companies), met with Republican candidate Donald Trump, neither he nor Limp were informed of this decision beforehand. He expressed frustration that this could lead to misconceptions about the decision’s motives.
Critiquing the broader media landscape, Bezos pointed out the proliferation of misinformation through impromptu podcasts, inaccurate social media posts, and unchecked news. He acknowledged the accolades received by WP and The New York Times but noted that media outlets are increasingly engaging with elite circles rather than the general public.
Concluding his column, Bezos emphasized the urgent need for reliable and independent voices, particularly from major global capitals like Washington, D.C., lauding WP’s journalists for their commitment to the truth.
After WP’s announcement on the 25th, substantial backlash followed, including the resignation of editors and columnists and the loss of 200,000 subscribers in three days. Speculation arose that Bezos was motivated by the potential election of Trump.