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The Washington Submit at One Franklin Sq. Constructing on June 5, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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The Washington Submit mentioned Friday it won’t endorse a candidate on this yr’s presidential election, breaking many years of custom and drawing quick criticism of the choice.
The newspaper additionally revealed one on Friday article by two employees reporters who mentioned newsroom staffers had drafted a press release of assist for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump within the election.
“The choice to not publish was made by the proprietor of The Submit – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,” The Submit reported, citing two sources briefed on the occasions.
As president, Trump had criticized Bezos and The Submit
In a 2019 lawsuit, Amazon claimed it had misplaced $10 billion cloud computing contract with the Pentagon to Microsoft alleging that Trump had “exerted undue stress… “to hurt his perceived political enemy” Bezos.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos arrives for his assembly with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the British Diplomatic Residence on September 20, 2021 in New York Metropolis.
Michael M Santiago | Getty Pictures Information | Getty Pictures
Submit CEO Will Lewis wrote in a web-based clarification of the choice: “The Washington Submit won’t endorse a presidential candidate on this election. Not even in future presidential elections.”
“We’re returning to our roots of not supporting presidential candidates,” Lewis wrote.
“We acknowledge that this might be learn in a wide range of methods, together with as a
tacit approval of 1 candidate, or condemnation of one other, or abdication of accountability,” he wrote. ‘That is inevitable. We do not see it that approach. We see it as in step with the values that The Submit has at all times stood for and that we hope for in a frontrunner: character and braveness within the service of American ethics, reverence for the rule of legislation and respect for human freedom in all its points . “
The announcement got here days after the pinnacle of The Los Angeles OccasionsThe newspaper’s editorial employees resigned in protest after the newspaper’s proprietor, Patrick Quickly-Shiong, determined to not grant presidential endorsement.
Quickly-Shiong, like Bezos, is a billionaire.
“@realdonaldtrump will see this as an invite to additional intimidate proprietor @jeffbezos (and others),” Baron wrote. “Disturbing spinelessness at an establishment well-known for its braveness.”
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The Washington Submit Guild, the union representing the newspaper’s employees, mentioned in a press release on social media website assist presidential candidates, particularly simply eleven days previous to an election of huge consequence.”
“The message from our CEO, Will Lewis – and never from the Editorial Board itself – leaves us involved that administration was interfering with the work of our editorial board members,” the Guild mentioned within the assertion, noting the reporting of the newspaper about Bezos’ position within the editorial group. the choice.
“We’re already seeing cancellations from as soon as loyal readers,” the Guild mentioned. “This determination undermines the work of our members at a time when we have to construct, not lose, the belief of our readers.”
Marty Baron, the previous editor of The Washington Submit, known as the newspaper’s determination “cowardice, with democracy because the sufferer.”
“@realdonaldtrump will see this as an invite to additional intimidate proprietor @jeffbezos (and others),” Baron wrote. “Disturbing spinelessness at an establishment well-known for its braveness.”
Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, wrote in his personal tweet on the information: “Step one towards fascism is when the free press cowers in worry.”
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