Jeff Bezos Is Greasing America’s Slide Toward Autocracy
Titans like Bezos who control mainstream media are pandering to Trump in ways that compromise their publications.

Founder of Amazon and Blue Origin Jeff Bezos departs the inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Steven Harper
Feb 26, 2025
Washington Post Opinion Editor quits as Jeff Bezos sets goals for 'new chapter'
In a post on X, Jeff Bezos clarified that while The Washington Post would continue to explore a variety of topics, perspectives opposing these core values would no longer find a place in its opinion pages.

Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post. (File photo: Reuters)
India Today News Desk
New Delhi,
Opinion pages to focus on personal liberties and free markets
Jeff Bezos cites digital platforms' role in opinion diversity
The Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos on Wednesday announced a "significant shift" to the newspaper’s opinion section, prompting the departure of editorial page editor David Shipley. The overhaul in policy marks a dramatic break from tradition, further unsettling the media organisation already grappling with years of instability and leadership changes.
In a note addressed to the publication’s team, Bezos clarified that while the paper would continue to explore a variety of topics, perspectives opposing these core values would no longer find a place in its opinion pages.
"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 of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others," Bezos stated in a message shared on X.
The Amazon boss also elaborated on the reasoning behind this editorial pivot, pointing out that the role of newspapers in curating diverse opinions has evolved with the advent of digital platforms.
"There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job," Bezos explained.
"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," he added.
Furthermore, Bezos also shared that David Shipley would part ways with the company. Shipley had been offered a role in leading Bezos' planned changes, but decided not to continue with the role.
"I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn't 'hell yes', then it had to be 'no'. After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision," Bezos said.
Shipley had helmed the section since 2022.
During Donald Trump's first term, The Washington Post, along with Bezos, frequently clashed with the President over its critical coverage. Trump repeatedly targeted Bezos, even threatening antitrust action against Amazon. However, in Trump's second term, Bezos appeared to have shifted his approach, notably attending the President's inauguration alongside other prominent tech leaders.
The Washington Post's editorial move was applauded by Telsa chief Elon Musk, who wrote on X: "Bravo @JeffBezos!"
Titans like Bezos who control mainstream media are pandering to Trump in ways that compromise their publications.

Founder of Amazon and Blue Origin Jeff Bezos departs the inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Steven Harper
Feb 26, 2025
Common Dreams
Billionaires controlling key elements of the media are helping U.S. President Donald Trump establish an authoritarian regime. Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, has become a poster child for the phenomenon.
American democracy may be a casualty.
From the beginning of Trump’s political career, Fox News, Newsmax, Sinclair Broadcasting, and other right-wing outlets have spread his propaganda. But now titans who control mainstream media are pandering to Trump in ways that compromise their publications.
Once a Hero
Not so long ago, Bezos was on the correct side of a historic struggle. In August 2013, he bought The Washington Post and boosted its investigative reporting staff. After Trump won the 2016 election, the Post adopted the first slogan in the paper’s 140-year history: Democracy Dies in Darkness.
In May 2016, Bezos discussed his reasons for buying the paper: “I think a lot of us believe this, that democracy dies in darkness, that certain institutions have a very important role in making sure that there is light.”
For the next eight years, the Post honored that mission relentlessly. The paper fact-checked Trump’s assertions and documented his lies. By its count, Trump had made more than 30,000 “false or misleading claims” during his first four-year term alone.
Prior to the 2020 election, the Post’s editorial page had characterized Trump as a threat to the American democratic experiment. The editorial board described Trump as “the worst president of modern times” and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden to replace him.
The board continued:
Mr. Trump’s negative example has demonstrated how essential in a president are decency, empathy, and respect for other human beings.
…
Democracy is at risk, at home and around the world. The nation desperately needs a president who will respect its public servants; stand up for the rule of law; acknowledge Congress’ constitutional role; and work for the public good, not his private benefit.
And Now a Sycophant
All of the Post’s criticisms of Trump in 2020 were even more on point in 2024. Shortly before the 2024 election, the Post’s editorial board had signed off on the paper’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president. But it never ran. Bezos personally killed it and, for the first time in decades,The Washington Post did not endorse a U.S. presidential candidate.
The fallout was immediate. Prominent columnists resigned, and more than 250,000 readers canceled their subscriptions.
A few hours after Bezos’s “no endorsement” decision became public, officials from his Blue Origin aerospace company, which has a multi-billion dollar contract with NASA, met with Trump. Bezos claimed that he didn’t know about that meeting.
In December, Bezos flew to Mar-a-Lago where he and his fiancée dined with President-elect Trump. A few weeks later, another Bezos company—Amazon—paid $40 million to license a documentary about Melania Trump, who personally will receive $28 million. At Trump’s inauguration, she told CEOs in attendance that they could be mentioned as “sponsors” at the end of the film and receive invitations to the yet-to-be-produced film’s premiere. The price: $10 million each.
And on February 26, Bezos announced a new rightward shift: The Post would now advocate for “personal liberties and free markets” and not publish opposing viewpoints on those topics.
The paper’s opinion section editor, David Shipley, resigned in response to the change.
A Dangerous Anti-Democratic Theme
Bezos is not alone among the moguls who are helping Trump along the road to autocracy. In future posts, I’ll discuss some of Trump’s other major media accomplices.
Meanwhile, on February 25, Trump announced that he would break decades of precedent and handpick the media outlets that would be allowed to participate in the presidential press pool—the small, rotating group of reporters who relay the president’s day-to-day activities to the public. Previously, the White House Correspondents’ Association, a 111-year-old group representing journalists who cover the administration, determined which reporters would participate in the daily pool. Most often, the pool has consisted of journalists from major organizations such as CNN, Reuters, The Associated Press, ABC News, Fox News, and The New York Times.
Except, of course, in early February Trump banned the AP from the Oval Office and Mar-a-Lago because it continued referring to the “Gulf of Mexico” instead of Trump’s new name for that body of water, the “Gulf of America.”
Democracy dies in sunlight too.
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Steven Harper is an attorney, adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School, and author of several books, including Crossing Hoffa -- A Teamster's Story and The Lawyer Bubble -- A Profession in Crisis. He has been a regular columnist for Moyers on Democracy, Dan Rather's News and Guts, and The American Lawyer. Follow him at https://thelawyerbubble.com.
Full Bio >
Billionaires controlling key elements of the media are helping U.S. President Donald Trump establish an authoritarian regime. Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, has become a poster child for the phenomenon.
American democracy may be a casualty.
From the beginning of Trump’s political career, Fox News, Newsmax, Sinclair Broadcasting, and other right-wing outlets have spread his propaganda. But now titans who control mainstream media are pandering to Trump in ways that compromise their publications.
Once a Hero
Not so long ago, Bezos was on the correct side of a historic struggle. In August 2013, he bought The Washington Post and boosted its investigative reporting staff. After Trump won the 2016 election, the Post adopted the first slogan in the paper’s 140-year history: Democracy Dies in Darkness.
In May 2016, Bezos discussed his reasons for buying the paper: “I think a lot of us believe this, that democracy dies in darkness, that certain institutions have a very important role in making sure that there is light.”
For the next eight years, the Post honored that mission relentlessly. The paper fact-checked Trump’s assertions and documented his lies. By its count, Trump had made more than 30,000 “false or misleading claims” during his first four-year term alone.
Prior to the 2020 election, the Post’s editorial page had characterized Trump as a threat to the American democratic experiment. The editorial board described Trump as “the worst president of modern times” and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden to replace him.
The board continued:
Mr. Trump’s negative example has demonstrated how essential in a president are decency, empathy, and respect for other human beings.
…
Democracy is at risk, at home and around the world. The nation desperately needs a president who will respect its public servants; stand up for the rule of law; acknowledge Congress’ constitutional role; and work for the public good, not his private benefit.
And Now a Sycophant
All of the Post’s criticisms of Trump in 2020 were even more on point in 2024. Shortly before the 2024 election, the Post’s editorial board had signed off on the paper’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president. But it never ran. Bezos personally killed it and, for the first time in decades,The Washington Post did not endorse a U.S. presidential candidate.
The fallout was immediate. Prominent columnists resigned, and more than 250,000 readers canceled their subscriptions.
A few hours after Bezos’s “no endorsement” decision became public, officials from his Blue Origin aerospace company, which has a multi-billion dollar contract with NASA, met with Trump. Bezos claimed that he didn’t know about that meeting.
In December, Bezos flew to Mar-a-Lago where he and his fiancée dined with President-elect Trump. A few weeks later, another Bezos company—Amazon—paid $40 million to license a documentary about Melania Trump, who personally will receive $28 million. At Trump’s inauguration, she told CEOs in attendance that they could be mentioned as “sponsors” at the end of the film and receive invitations to the yet-to-be-produced film’s premiere. The price: $10 million each.
And on February 26, Bezos announced a new rightward shift: The Post would now advocate for “personal liberties and free markets” and not publish opposing viewpoints on those topics.
The paper’s opinion section editor, David Shipley, resigned in response to the change.
A Dangerous Anti-Democratic Theme
Bezos is not alone among the moguls who are helping Trump along the road to autocracy. In future posts, I’ll discuss some of Trump’s other major media accomplices.
Meanwhile, on February 25, Trump announced that he would break decades of precedent and handpick the media outlets that would be allowed to participate in the presidential press pool—the small, rotating group of reporters who relay the president’s day-to-day activities to the public. Previously, the White House Correspondents’ Association, a 111-year-old group representing journalists who cover the administration, determined which reporters would participate in the daily pool. Most often, the pool has consisted of journalists from major organizations such as CNN, Reuters, The Associated Press, ABC News, Fox News, and The New York Times.
Except, of course, in early February Trump banned the AP from the Oval Office and Mar-a-Lago because it continued referring to the “Gulf of Mexico” instead of Trump’s new name for that body of water, the “Gulf of America.”
Democracy dies in sunlight too.
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Steven Harper is an attorney, adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School, and author of several books, including Crossing Hoffa -- A Teamster's Story and The Lawyer Bubble -- A Profession in Crisis. He has been a regular columnist for Moyers on Democracy, Dan Rather's News and Guts, and The American Lawyer. Follow him at https://thelawyerbubble.com.
Full Bio >
Washington Post Opinion Editor quits as Jeff Bezos sets goals for 'new chapter'
In a post on X, Jeff Bezos clarified that while The Washington Post would continue to explore a variety of topics, perspectives opposing these core values would no longer find a place in its opinion pages.

Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post. (File photo: Reuters)
India Today News Desk
New Delhi,
Feb 26, 2025
Written By: Sahil Sinha
In Short
Written By: Sahil Sinha
In Short
Editorial page editor David Shipley quits post amid changes
Opinion pages to focus on personal liberties and free markets
Jeff Bezos cites digital platforms' role in opinion diversity
The Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos on Wednesday announced a "significant shift" to the newspaper’s opinion section, prompting the departure of editorial page editor David Shipley. The overhaul in policy marks a dramatic break from tradition, further unsettling the media organisation already grappling with years of instability and leadership changes.
In a note addressed to the publication’s team, Bezos clarified that while the paper would continue to explore a variety of topics, perspectives opposing these core values would no longer find a place in its opinion pages.
"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 of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others," Bezos stated in a message shared on X.
The Amazon boss also elaborated on the reasoning behind this editorial pivot, pointing out that the role of newspapers in curating diverse opinions has evolved with the advent of digital platforms.
"There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job," Bezos explained.
"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," he added.
Furthermore, Bezos also shared that David Shipley would part ways with the company. Shipley had been offered a role in leading Bezos' planned changes, but decided not to continue with the role.
"I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn't 'hell yes', then it had to be 'no'. After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision," Bezos said.
Shipley had helmed the section since 2022.
During Donald Trump's first term, The Washington Post, along with Bezos, frequently clashed with the President over its critical coverage. Trump repeatedly targeted Bezos, even threatening antitrust action against Amazon. However, in Trump's second term, Bezos appeared to have shifted his approach, notably attending the President's inauguration alongside other prominent tech leaders.
The Washington Post's editorial move was applauded by Telsa chief Elon Musk, who wrote on X: "Bravo @JeffBezos!"
Washington Post opinion page shift:
Editorial page editor David Shipley resigned following the announcement
Opinion pages to focus on personal liberties and free markets
Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, on Wednesday announced a major revamp of the newspaper's opinion section, signalling a sharp departure from tradition. The policy shift led to the immediate departure of editorial page editor David Shipley, adding to the turbulence at the media outlet, which has faced years of instability and leadership turnover.
In a memo to staff, the Amazon boss emphasised that while the paper would maintain a broad range of discussions, viewpoints that contradict its fundamental values would no longer be accommodated in its opinion pages.
advertisement
Here's the full text of Jeff Bezos's note to The Washington Post staffer:
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
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 of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
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.
advertisement
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
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. Jeff
Full text of Jeff Bezos's note to staff
Jeff Bezos announced a sweeping overhaul of The Washington Post opinion section, prioritising personal liberties and free markets. The shift led to editorial page editor David Shipley's immediate resignation.

Jeff Bezos' decision mirrored a broader trend, following in the footsteps of Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times. (File photo: Reuters)
India Today World Desk
New Delhi,
Jeff Bezos announced a sweeping overhaul of The Washington Post opinion section, prioritising personal liberties and free markets. The shift led to editorial page editor David Shipley's immediate resignation.

Jeff Bezos' decision mirrored a broader trend, following in the footsteps of Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times. (File photo: Reuters)
India Today World Desk
New Delhi,
Feb 26, 2025
Written By: Sahil Sinha
In Short
Written By: Sahil Sinha
In Short
Jeff Bezos announced revamp of The Washington Post's opinion section
Editorial page editor David Shipley resigned following the announcement
Opinion pages to focus on personal liberties and free markets
Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, on Wednesday announced a major revamp of the newspaper's opinion section, signalling a sharp departure from tradition. The policy shift led to the immediate departure of editorial page editor David Shipley, adding to the turbulence at the media outlet, which has faced years of instability and leadership turnover.
In a memo to staff, the Amazon boss emphasised that while the paper would maintain a broad range of discussions, viewpoints that contradict its fundamental values would no longer be accommodated in its opinion pages.
advertisement
Here's the full text of Jeff Bezos's note to The Washington Post staffer:
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
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 of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
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.
advertisement
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
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. Jeff
Tom Boggioni
February 27, 2025
RAW STORY

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and Blue Origin speaks during the JFK Space Summit, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 19, 2019. REUTERS/Katherine Taylor
According to Pulitzer Prize winner David Remnick, the Washington Post is facing the possibility of an exodus of hundreds of employees who have no faith in owner Jeff Bezos after his latest controversial move.
Moments after legendary Washington Post editor Marty Baron appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" to criticize the billionaire Amazon owner's ruling that the venerable paper's editorial page will only parrot his "particular point of view," Remnick, who got his big break at the Post, joined the pile-on.
While speaking with the MSNBC hosts, Remnick claimed more employees with follow editorial page editor David Shipley out the door as soon as they land jobs with the Post's competitors.
"The thing that concerns me the most about what Bezos announced yesterday, and you mentioned the word fear, was that the fear that he must have that he obviously does have and other billionaires have it, other tech pros have it that it creeps onto the reportorial product," MSNBC regular Mike Barnicle prompted Remnick. "That is a real fear that I have. Do you share?"
"Of course, I have that fear," Remnick exclaimed. "I haven't seen it, to be honest, in the newsroom of the Washington Post, but I do know that the fear and anxiety has leached onto the newsroom floor so that, according to people at the Washington Post, not a few people have applied to flee the Post for the New York Times, but hundreds of people at the Washington Post have applied for jobs elsewhere, particularly the Times, the Post and so on."
"They know that this is just not one event in the same way that killing the endorsement of Kamala Harris was not just one event," he added.
You can watch below or at the link.
Washington Post staffers outraged at Jeff Bezos’ stunning plan for opinion pages that prompted top editor to quit
“I have a feeling this isn’t gonna bring back the 250K subs,” one Post reporter wrote in the paper’s Slack channel on Wednesday.
Justin Baragona
in New York
“I have a feeling this isn’t gonna bring back the 250K subs,” one Post reporter wrote in the paper’s Slack channel on Wednesday.
Justin Baragona
in New York
THE INDEPENDENT
Wednesday 26 February 2025

open image in galleryWashington Post owner Jeff Bezos attending Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more
The Washington Post’s billionaire owner Jeff Bezos left many of his paper’s staffers enraged on Wednesday after he announced a shocking new direction for the paper’s opinion content that resulted in a top editor resigning.
Bezos’ latest mandate comes amid concerns among the publication’s journalists that the Amazon founder is currying favor with Donald Trump by softening the Post’s coverage of the anti-media president, which began when he blocked the editorial board’s endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris last October.
In a memo sent to staff Wednesday morning, Bezos noted that he was letting them “know about a change coming to our opinion pages,” which revolved around what topics columnists would now be allowed to write about.
“We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets,” he noted. “We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.”
Bezos added: “There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.”
Bezos added that opinion editor David Shipley did not embrace this decision to focus on the two topics, prompting his resignation. Shipley was the editor who decided not to publish an editorial cartoon showing Bezos on bended knee before Trump, prompting the cartoonist to quit.
“I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t ‘hell yes,’ then it had to be ‘no.’ After careful consideration, David decided to step away,” Bezos stated. “This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.”
He concluded: “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.”
In a separate statement, embattled publisher Will Lewis insisted to the staff that Bezos’ opinion mandate had nothing to do with partisanship. “This is not about siding with any political party. This is about being crystal clear about what we stand for as a newspaper,” Lewis wrote.
Needless to say, especially since the paper’s journalists have been begging Bezos to visit the newsroom and restore “trust that has been lost” under his watch, the ultra-wealthy businessman’s sudden and shocking mandate was not well received.
“Massive encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section today - makes clear dissenting views will not be published or tolerated there,” Washington Post chief economics reporter Jeff Stein tweeted on Wednesday.
“I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know,” he added.
Other Post staffers told The Independent that the announcement was “being received badly” by the newsroom, with many reporters expressing their “anger” at Bezos’ further meddling in the editorial process of the paper.
“I have a feeling this isn’t gonna bring back the 250K subs,” one reporter wrote in the Post’s Slack channel, referencing the quarter-million readers that canceled their subscriptions after Bezos pulled the Harris endorsement days before the 2024 election.
Besides the lost subscriptions, the spiked endorsement also led to several editorial board members resigning in protest, while a number of star journalists and editors left for other opportunities. At the same time, the beleaguered paper recently laid off four percent of the staff, mostly from the business and public relations divisions.
Meanwhile, Washington Post video producer Dave Jorgenson – who is the face of the paper’s YouTube and TikTok accounts – took to his Bluesky account on Wednesday to repost a video he made a few months ago about “why some billionaires are going soft on Trump.”
“Using my ‘personal liberties’ to repost this,” Jorgenson noted, adding that followers could check out his personal YouTube and social media channels going forward. “Echoing Jeff (Stein), if Bezos interferes with my work on the news side - I'm out,” he added.
Military affair reporter Dan Lamonthe reiterated that the paper’s “hard-news” division would continue to plug along and keep reporting on the important stories of the day. “As a hard-news journalist at The Washington Post, there's no shortage of important news to cover. I will keep digging in. As I've stated before: Nothing changes. We ask hard questions and hold those in power to account. That's the job, whether those in power like it or not,” he tweeted.
The Independent has reached out to the Post for comment.
While staffers are outraged over this move, MAGA world was elated over Bezo’s new mandate for the Post’s opinion pages.
“He says that viewpoints which disagree with those positions will be written elsewhere. David Shipley has stepped down as the paper’s opinion editor as a result of the shift,” far-right provacatuer Charlie Kirk posted on X (formerly Twitter.)
“Bezos also affirms that he is “of America” and wants to celebrate these uniquely American values that have lead to innovation and prosperity. He believes these viewpoints are underserved in the current newspaper environment (he’s right),” he continued. “Good! The culture is changing rapidly for the better.”
DOGE chief and “first buddy” Elon Musk, one of the only men in the world wealthier than Bezos, also expressed his explicit approval.
“Bravo,” he tweeted.
Wednesday 26 February 2025

open image in galleryWashington Post owner Jeff Bezos attending Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more
The Washington Post’s billionaire owner Jeff Bezos left many of his paper’s staffers enraged on Wednesday after he announced a shocking new direction for the paper’s opinion content that resulted in a top editor resigning.
Bezos’ latest mandate comes amid concerns among the publication’s journalists that the Amazon founder is currying favor with Donald Trump by softening the Post’s coverage of the anti-media president, which began when he blocked the editorial board’s endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris last October.
In a memo sent to staff Wednesday morning, Bezos noted that he was letting them “know about a change coming to our opinion pages,” which revolved around what topics columnists would now be allowed to write about.
“We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets,” he noted. “We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.”
Bezos added: “There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.”
Bezos added that opinion editor David Shipley did not embrace this decision to focus on the two topics, prompting his resignation. Shipley was the editor who decided not to publish an editorial cartoon showing Bezos on bended knee before Trump, prompting the cartoonist to quit.
“I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t ‘hell yes,’ then it had to be ‘no.’ After careful consideration, David decided to step away,” Bezos stated. “This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.”
He concluded: “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.”
In a separate statement, embattled publisher Will Lewis insisted to the staff that Bezos’ opinion mandate had nothing to do with partisanship. “This is not about siding with any political party. This is about being crystal clear about what we stand for as a newspaper,” Lewis wrote.
Needless to say, especially since the paper’s journalists have been begging Bezos to visit the newsroom and restore “trust that has been lost” under his watch, the ultra-wealthy businessman’s sudden and shocking mandate was not well received.
“Massive encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section today - makes clear dissenting views will not be published or tolerated there,” Washington Post chief economics reporter Jeff Stein tweeted on Wednesday.
“I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know,” he added.
Other Post staffers told The Independent that the announcement was “being received badly” by the newsroom, with many reporters expressing their “anger” at Bezos’ further meddling in the editorial process of the paper.
“I have a feeling this isn’t gonna bring back the 250K subs,” one reporter wrote in the Post’s Slack channel, referencing the quarter-million readers that canceled their subscriptions after Bezos pulled the Harris endorsement days before the 2024 election.
Besides the lost subscriptions, the spiked endorsement also led to several editorial board members resigning in protest, while a number of star journalists and editors left for other opportunities. At the same time, the beleaguered paper recently laid off four percent of the staff, mostly from the business and public relations divisions.
Meanwhile, Washington Post video producer Dave Jorgenson – who is the face of the paper’s YouTube and TikTok accounts – took to his Bluesky account on Wednesday to repost a video he made a few months ago about “why some billionaires are going soft on Trump.”
“Using my ‘personal liberties’ to repost this,” Jorgenson noted, adding that followers could check out his personal YouTube and social media channels going forward. “Echoing Jeff (Stein), if Bezos interferes with my work on the news side - I'm out,” he added.
Military affair reporter Dan Lamonthe reiterated that the paper’s “hard-news” division would continue to plug along and keep reporting on the important stories of the day. “As a hard-news journalist at The Washington Post, there's no shortage of important news to cover. I will keep digging in. As I've stated before: Nothing changes. We ask hard questions and hold those in power to account. That's the job, whether those in power like it or not,” he tweeted.
The Independent has reached out to the Post for comment.
While staffers are outraged over this move, MAGA world was elated over Bezo’s new mandate for the Post’s opinion pages.
“He says that viewpoints which disagree with those positions will be written elsewhere. David Shipley has stepped down as the paper’s opinion editor as a result of the shift,” far-right provacatuer Charlie Kirk posted on X (formerly Twitter.)
“Bezos also affirms that he is “of America” and wants to celebrate these uniquely American values that have lead to innovation and prosperity. He believes these viewpoints are underserved in the current newspaper environment (he’s right),” he continued. “Good! The culture is changing rapidly for the better.”
DOGE chief and “first buddy” Elon Musk, one of the only men in the world wealthier than Bezos, also expressed his explicit approval.
“Bravo,” he tweeted.
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