A betrayal: WaPo chief editor criticizes Bezos for endorsement decision

Marty Baron, the former Washington Post executive editor, criticized Jeff Bezos for "violating the values he claimed to uphold" when the paper decided not to back a candidate in the 2024 presidential race.

In an interview on Boston Public Radio Monday, Baron stated that Jeff Bezos lacked courage.

I believe this is a grave error and it has caused significant harm to the Washington Post's brand reputation. I am concerned about the lasting damage it may have on the Post's brand and reputation, and it may lead to increased skepticism among readers.

The Post announced on Friday that it would not be endorsing a candidate in the upcoming presidential election or any future one, as CEO and publisher Will Lewis stated it was a "return to our roots." The Post has endorsed a Democrat for president in every election since 1976, except for when it skipped one in 1988.

The decision to identify Trump as a threat to the rule of law and the country sparked an immediate uproar at the "Democracy Dies in Darkness" paper. At least two members of the Post's staff have resigned from the paper, while another two left the editorial board while staying on staff. Nineteen Post columnists signed onto a letter condemning the decision, specifically calling on Trump to be identified as a threat to the rule of law and the country. Subscribers have reportedly canceled by the hundreds of thousands.

The union of the paper expressed concern that management was interfering with independent journalism, as it was reported that Bezos had forced the move due to the possibility of Trump's return to power. Prior to the call to quash it, the paper had drafted an endorsement of Harris.

In a widely shared post on X Friday, Baron, who retired from the Post in 2021 after nearly a decade at the paper, slammed the move.

"This is cowardice, with democracy as its casualty," he wrote. "Trump will see this as an invitation to further intimidate Bezos (and others). Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famed for courage."

During his interview with Boston Public Radio, Baron accused Bezos of making a call that disappointed him, as the billionaire Amazon founder, who owns the Post, caved to pressure from Donald Trump.

""I'm disappointed because despite Trump's attempts to undermine Amazon's business, Bezos stood up for us and I'm disappointed to see that he's not continuing with those principles," Baron said."

When I was editor of the Washington Post, Bezos professed and practiced certain principles, and Baron considers the decision a betrayal of those principles.

Despite the surprising move, Bezos expressed gratitude for Baron's support during their time together, stating that he showed immense spine and integrity in defending their work and not giving in to pressure.

Trump's escalating attacks on "perceived political enemies" pressured the WaPo owner to reverse course, according to Baron.

"Trump has become more virulent in his attacks against Bezos, whom he has always viewed as an enemy due to his ownership of the Washington Post and his dislike of the paper's coverage."

He stated that the presidential endorsement decision was a sign of weakness and expressed hope that it wouldn't lead to other signs of weakness.

In an op-ed Monday night, Bezos defended the paper's decision not to endorse a presidential candidate, stating that a Gallup poll revealed Americans are losing trust in the media.

"The least trusted profession is now ours, as evidenced by something we are doing that is not working," he wrote.

"To increase our credibility and impact, we must work harder to control what we can control, rather than blaming others or complaining. Reality is an undefeated champion, and most people believe the media is biased. Anyone who doesn't see this is paying scant attention to reality, and those who fight reality lose. We must be accurate and be believed to be accurate, but failing on the second requirement is a bitter pill to swallow."

The Amazon founder, who acquired The Post in 2013, maintained that newspaper endorsements have no impact on election outcomes but rather create a perception of bias. He further emphasized The Post's decision to cease presidential endorsements, stating it was a matter of principle and the correct course of action.

The Washington Post declined to comment on Planet Chronicle Digital's request.

Planet Chronicle' David Rutz and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.