Massive Exodus: Over 200,000 Washington Post Subscriber Cancellations Following Bezos' Decision to Withhold Harris-Walz Endorsement

Jeff Bezos' choice to withhold The Washington Post's endorsement of a presidential candidate this year has sparked a significant upheaval within the progressive newspaper. Staff members have been reportedly experiencing severe meltdowns, with editor-at-large Robert Kagan leaving his position on Friday. The situation has been further exacerbated by a reported mass departure of liberal subscribers, as reported by NPR News on Monday afternoon.

Over 200,000 Subscription Cancellations

Two sources within the newspaper who are familiar with the situation have reported that by Monday afternoon, there had been over 200,000 digital subscription cancellations. While not all cancellations are effective immediately, this figure represents approximately 8% of the newspaper's total paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes both digital and print subscriptions. The number of cancellations continued to rise throughout Monday afternoon.

Confusion Over Decision

Marcus Brauchli, former Executive Editor of The Post, told NPR, "The problem is, people don't know why the decision was made. We basically know the decision was made, but we don't know what led to it." David Shipley, the editorial page editor, informed colleagues that the reason for the lack of a Harris-Walz endorsement was to create an "independent space" where the newspaper does not dictate to people who they should vote for.

Historical Endorsements

The Washington Post has historically endorsed Democrats for nearly a century, with only three Republicans receiving endorsements since 1928. However, in 2024, the newspaper chose to remain neutral.

Surge in Subscription Cancellations

As a result of the decision, Google search data shows that the phrase "cancel Washington Post subscription" has seen a significant uptick nationwide since the weekend. The majority of these cancellations are based in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Amazon Cancellations As Well?

This move follows the Los Angeles Times' decision not to endorse Kamala Harris. Given the timing of the decision, just days before the presidential election, it appears that the race is in a tight competition with former President Trump.

Bottom Line

The decision by The Washington Post to withhold an endorsement in this year's presidential race has certainly stirred up controversy and resulted in a significant loss of subscribers. It raises the question of the role of media in political endorsement and whether it's essential for a newspaper to maintain an independent space during such critical times. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which takes place every day at 6 pm.