Former Washington Post editor Robert Kagan announced his resignation on Friday, following the newspaper’s controversial decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. This decision has ignited a firestorm of criticism and led to a series of resignations among the paper’s staff, prompting accusations of collusion between Jeff Bezos, the paper’s billionaire owner, and former President Donald Trump.
Allegations of Collusion
Kagan has accused Bezos of orchestrating a “quid pro quo” arrangement with Trump that influenced the Washington Post’s decision-making process regarding candidate endorsements. He claims that Bezos, who is also the founder of Amazon, halted plans to endorse Harris in a bid to maintain a favorable relationship with Trump. Kagan’s assertions come in the wake of a similar move by the Los Angeles Times, which also chose not to back Harris, sparking widespread outrage within journalistic circles.
In an interview with the Daily Beast, Kagan recounted a meeting between Trump and executives from Bezos’s space venture, Blue Origin, that coincided with the Washington Post’s controversial endorsement decision. “Trump waited to make sure that Bezos did what he said he was going to do, and then met with the Blue Origin people,” Kagan remarked, indicating that the decision could have serious implications for media independence and integrity.
Backlash and Subscription Cancellations
The Washington Post’s decision not to endorse a candidate has resulted in immediate backlash, leading to approximately 2,000 subscription cancellations within just 24 hours. One staff member described the response as “a surprisingly high number,” highlighting the discontent among readers. Critics have labeled the move as “cowardice,” reflecting a significant divide within the newspaper regarding its editorial direction in the lead-up to the election.
Responses from Bezos and Trump
Both Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump have yet to comment on Kagan’s allegations. The claims suggest a worrying trend toward media censorship and control, raising concerns about the future of journalistic integrity. Kagan expressed his fears about the implications of such alleged collusion, stating, “There was an actual deal made, meaning that Bezos communicated, or through his people, communicated directly with Trump, and they set up this quid pro quo. This has been in the works for some time.”
Internal Conflict at the Washington Post
As criticism mounted, Washington Post CEO William Lewis stepped forward to clarify the situation. He asserted that he personally blocked the endorsement decision, contrary to Kagan’s claims that Bezos played a pivotal role. “Reporting around the role of The Washington Post owner and the decision not to publish a presidential endorsement has been inaccurate,” Lewis stated in a communication to the Daily Beast. He emphasized that Bezos was not involved in the endorsement process, asserting, “As Publisher, I do not believe in presidential endorsements. We are an independent newspaper and should support our readers’ ability to make up their own minds.”
Resignations and Expressions of Discontent
The fallout from the endorsement debacle has led to resignations among prominent staff members, including columnist Karen Attiah. In her resignation announcement, she took to social media to express her disappointment, stating, “I didn’t sign up to be a journalist to be silent on what matters most. I didn’t come here to be a coward. Some of us really, truly believe in speaking truth to power. We were betrayed today.” Attiah’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among journalists at the Washington Post who feel disillusioned by the recent editorial decisions.
