In an unusual move, the L.A. Times and the Washington Post have opted not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election, marking a shift in editorial policy at both major newspapers.
L.A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong reportedly blocked the editorial board’s planned endorsement of Harris, urging the board to present a factual analysis of both candidates instead. This decision sparked internal tensions, leading several editorial board members to resign in protest.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post chose to abstain from endorsing any candidate, ending a 36-year tradition. Owner Jeff Bezos directed the paper to return to its origins, maintaining a neutral stance in presidential races. Despite the board’s original endorsement draft favoring Harris, the directive ultimately prevented it from going public.
These decisions reflect a broader trend toward non-partisanship in media endorsements, reshaping the role of major newspapers in the election narrative.
NEWS: The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement in this year's presidential race, the editor of the editorial pages has told colleagues at a tense meeting this morning
THREAD AND LINK: t.co/papQiStKDC
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) October 25, 2024
The decision was revealed in a tense meeting with people on the editorial staff
And it arrives at a time of heightened concern over whether news outles are pulling their punches in order to appease Trump in final days of a neck and neck presidential race agst VP Harris MORE
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) October 25, 2024
new: Washington Post publisher Will Lewis explains why The Post won’t be endorsing for president: pic.twitter.com/Zn0o655UIz
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) October 25, 2024
new: Washington Post publisher Will Lewis explains why The Post won’t be endorsing for president: pic.twitter.com/Zn0o655UIz
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) October 25, 2024
Sources:
- Yahoo News: As L.A. Times and Washington Post Kill Presidential Endorsements, Do Editorial Pages Still Matter?
- MSNBC: The rich owners of The Washington Post and L.A. Times just capitulated to Trump
- MSN: Is Washington Post Another LA Times? Speculation Grows Without Presidential Endorsement 10 Days From Election