Washington Post Says Will Not Endorse Harris Or Trump In Election
AFP/APP
Washington: In a surprising move, The Washington Post announced Friday it will not endorse either Democratic candidate Kamala Harris or Republican incumbent Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
CEO William Lewis described this decision as a return “to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates,” marking a notable shift for a newspaper that has consistently backed Democratic candidates for nearly four decades.
The decision comes amidst one of the most contentious political climates in recent U.S. history. While newspaper endorsements have diminished in influence over the years, The Washington Post still holds sway among Washington’s elite, especially given its slogan, “Democracy dies in darkness.”
Trump’s campaign quickly reacted, claiming, “Harris is so bad, The Washington Post decided to never endorse another presidential candidate again.” This statement highlights the campaign’s strategy of capitalizing on the Post’s decision to bolster its narrative against Harris.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post Guild, representing the unionized staff, expressed concerns about the decision’s impact on readership. In a statement, they noted, “We are already seeing cancellations from once loyal readers,” reflecting potential backlash from a divided audience.
As the election approaches, the Post’s choice to abstain from endorsement underscores the challenges traditional media faces in navigating a polarized political landscape.
