Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos faced backlash from liberal commentators after he announced major changes to the paper’s opinion section.
Critics accused him of yielding to President Donald Trump. David Remnick from The New Yorker called the move a “tragedy” on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” highlighting the paper’s legacy of impactful journalism like the Pentagon Papers and Watergate.
Remnick argued that Bezos, who bought the paper for half the price of his yacht, was now “kissing the ring of the president” out of fear of Trump’s authoritarian behavior.
Revamping the Opinion Section
Bezos revealed that the Post’s opinion page would focus on supporting two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. This change also led to the resignation of the opinion editor, David Shipley.
The Post’s publisher, William Lewis, clarified that the change was not about political bias but about clearly stating the newspaper’s principles.
He emphasized that this shift aimed to strengthen the paper’s position as a leading news source for all Americans.
Backlash Over Political Endorsements
The Post faced criticism when Bezos stopped the editorial page from endorsing former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election against Trump.
This decision led to several staff members leaving the paper. The Post had previously endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Marty Baron and Media Figures Speak Out
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron criticized Bezos, arguing that shutting down diverse viewpoints on the opinion page betrayed the paper’s heritage and the principle of free expression.
Jim VandeHei, founder of Axios, expressed surprise that Bezos didn’t eliminate the opinion section. He suggested Bezos could have invested more in reporting if he aimed to make the Post a truly national newspaper.
Broader Media Concerns
CNN’s Abby Phillip featured discussions highlighting broader concerns about media bias. Jeff Jarvis, a professor at Stony Brook University, criticized major newspapers, including The Washington Post, for downplaying political realities.
He argued that avoiding strong language about authoritarianism diluted the national conversation. Another panelist, Touré, echoed Jarvis’s concerns about media narratives in the U.S.
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Political Reactions and Criticism
Prominent Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Morgan McGarvey, criticized Bezos’ decision.
Schiff argued that the focus on “personal liberty” could restrict editorial freedom to publish opposing views. McGarvey pointedly stated, “Democracy dies in the hands of oligarchs.”
Accusations of Political Favoritism
Politico’s Michael Schaffer suggested Bezos was altering the Post’s editorial stance to align with Trump, possibly to protect his business interests.
Schaffer argued that this shift risked damaging the Post’s reputation and credibility, raising questions about Bezos’ influence over the paper’s content.
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