Opinions editor David Shipley will also be stepping down from the Post
The Washington Post stuns observers by not making a presidential endorsement
‘MediaBuzz’ host Howard Kurtz reports on how The Washington Post is refraining from making a presidential endorsement for the first time in decades on ‘Special Report.’
Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos announced some major changes to the outlet's opinion page on Wednesday, including that the opinion section editor would be stepping down as they introduce the changes.
"We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others," Bezos wrote on X, announcing the decision.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) February 26, 2025
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too…
Bezos said that Washington Post editorial page editor David Shipley decided to step away after being offered the opportunity to continue to lead the opinion section.
The paper came under fire after Bezos stopped the editorial page from endorsing former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, prompting several staffers to leave the paper.
"I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai stand before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Washington Post publisher and CEO William Lewis also issued a statement regarding the announcement.
"Earlier today, our owner Jeff published a note explaining The Washington Post’s recalibrated content strategy for our opinion section. I want to thank him for clearly and succinctly spelling out what we stand for at The Washington Post, and I will be so very proud for The Post to be known for its two key pillars: our belief in free markets and personal liberties," Lewis said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
"This is not about siding with any political party. This is about being crystal clear about what we stand for as a newspaper. Doing this is a critical part of serving as a premier news publication across America and for all Americans," the statement continued.
Staffers fled the Post after the editorial page didn't endorse Harris. Former columnist Jennifer Rubin left the paper amid the endorsement fall out, as did editor-at-large Robert Kagan.
Washington Post opinion page editor David Shipley. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Liberals also canceled their subscriptions to the Post after its non-endorsement.
"I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void," Bezos wrote in his statement, posted to X.
Hanna Panreck is an associate editor at Fox News.
