Washington Post Part 2 — Jeff Bezos Misses the Point

Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post has admitted he killed the paper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris. Responding to reader outrage and canceled subscriptions — 250,000 according to NPR — Bezos penned an opinion piece that ties presidential endorsements to the public’s distrust of the media.

The bitter pill he sees:

We (a newspaper) must be believed to be accurate… What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias.

While I feel that bitter pill of bias, it’s not because of the editorial team. Their opinions clearly state the bias and what informs it. It’s the “news” side that slants articles with pejorative words and headlines that go beyond a neutral reporting of facts or that create a “false equivalence” between two arguments that don’t have equal weight.

Ironically, Bezos acknowledges the decision won’t add much trust — quite the opposite — and the poor timing:

By itself, declining to endorse presidential candidates is not enough to move us very far up the trust scale, but it’s a meaningful step in the right direction. I wish we had made the change earlier than we did, in a moment further from the election and the emotions around it. That was inadequate planning, and not some intentional strategy.

Then why do it now? Why not wait until after the election, with a four-year runway to build support within and outside the paper?

Bezos’ argument is unconvincing, inviting speculation of Machiavellian motivations.

Thankfully, The New York Times did not equivocate:

You already know Donald Trump. He is unfit to lead. Watch him. Listen to those who know him best. He tried to subvert an election and remains a threat to democracy. He helped overturn Roe, with terrible consequences. Mr. Trump’s corruption and lawlessness go beyond elections: It’s his whole ethos. He lies without limit. If he’s re-elected, the G.O.P. won’t restrain him. Mr. Trump will use the government to go after opponents. He will pursue a cruel policy of mass deportations. He will wreak havoc on the poor, the middle class and employers. Another Trump term will damage the climate, shatter alliances and strengthen autocrats. Americans should demand better. Vote.