The Washington Post is facing a surge in digital subscription cancellations and staff departures following a decision by its owner, Jeff Bezos, to halt an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. According to insiders, over 200,000 digital subscribers had canceled their subscriptions by midday on Monday, with that number expected to continue climbing. This mass cancellation accounts for around 8% of the Post’s total paid circulation of 2.5 million, including print subscriptions.
“This is an enormous figure,” said former Washington Post Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli in an NPR interview, noting the unusual nature of the decision. “The issue is that the reasoning behind the decision remains unclear. We know the decision was made, but its motivations are still mysterious.”
Bezos’s choice to prevent the paper from endorsing Harris has sparked confusion and criticism from within the Washington Post. Will Lewis, Chief Executive and Publisher, described the decision as part of an effort to preserve the Post’s “independent paper” status, framing it as a return to foundational values. Lewis confirmed that the Post would not endorse any candidates in the current presidential race or in future elections.
The timing of this policy change has raised questions among Washington Post journalists, given the high-stakes race between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump. A staff member, who preferred to remain anonymous, voiced concern about the impact on the paper’s reputation: “This sends a message to ownership but undermines the quality journalism the Post is known for. Few organisations can match the depth and breadth of reporting produced by the Post’s journalists.”
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The Post’s editorial page has often been critical of Trump, documenting numerous allegations of misconduct and legal troubles surrounding him and his associates. The editorial board has also argued that Trump represents a threat to American democracy, creating additional frustration among staff who feel that an endorsement of Harris would align with the paper’s values and reporting.
Similar actions have occurred at other newspapers, with Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, also blocking an endorsement for Harris. That decision led to the resignation of the Times’ opinion editor, who publicly opposed the move.
So far, the Washington Post has not released an official statement regarding the cancellations, and the corporate office declined to comment on the situation, citing the company’s private ownership.
Even major newspapers like the New York Times would expect only a small number of subscription cancellations over an endorsement issue, making the Post’s 200,000 cancellations a highly unusual and significant event. The news underscores the potential fallout when media organizations make endorsement decisions that clash with readers’ and staff expectations, especially in a divisive political climate.