The Washington Post is experiencing significant backlash following its decision not to endorse Kamala Harris for president, which has resulted in over 200,000 subscription cancellations, according to NPR. This figure represents approximately 8% of the publication’s paid subscriber base, and the number of cancellations continues to rise.

In a context provided by The New York Times, The Post had managed to acquire only 4,000 new subscribers from the start of the year until September. The resulting number of cancellations over a single weekend greatly exceeds their subscriber gains over several months.

Multiple reports from NPR, The Columbia Journalism Review, and The Washington Post itself suggest that the directive to stop endorsing candidates came directly from Jeff Bezos. His space company, Blue Origin, had executives meet with presidential candidate Donald Trump on the same day the non-endorsement was announced. According to Post CEO Will Lewis, Bezos allegedly did not participate in drafting the non-endorsement statement, although questions remain regarding his involvement in the decision.

In a Washington Post op-ed, Bezos stated that there was no quid pro quo involved, saying that the timing was due to “inadequate planning” rather than strategic maneuvering. He pointed to the declining trust in media as a backdrop for the decision, although some argue that factors like diminished local journalism contribute to this distrust.

Amidst the fallout, it is highlighted that Bezos’s other ventures, such as Amazon and Blue Origin, have significant government contracts, raising concerns of potential conflicts of interest, particularly given past tensions with Donald Trump due to The Washington Post’s reporting. Robert Kagan, a columnist who resigned over the decision, asserted that Bezos’s actions were geared towards gaining favor with Trump, citing motivations connected to his business interests.

Bezos has a track record of prioritizing customer satisfaction at Amazon, yet the decision regarding The Post appears to have eroded trust among its audience. NPR noted that the publication’s top stories were centered on the controversy, underscoring the discontent among both readers and staff.

The broader implications of this situation extend beyond just The Washington Post, drawing attention to Bezos’s extensive business holdings and the potential conflicts therein. It raises questions about the influence of big businesses and the possibility of antitrust considerations under current governmental scrutiny.

This development serves as a reminder of the consequences businesses face when straying from a customer-centric approach, as demonstrated by the backlash and potential political ramifications in this case.

An update on October 28th includes an op-ed by Bezos in The Washington Post addressing the reasons behind the decision that significantly impacted the publication.

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