Jeff Bezos reportedly killed the Washington Post's Kamala Harris ad

The Washington Post's editorial page had endorsed Kamala Harris for president when its owner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, intervened to cancel publication. The Washington Post Reports. In his place The post published a bizarre column by its current editor (and former Rupert Murdoch henchman) Will Lewis The post wouldn't support anyone.

“We recognize that this will be interpreted in a variety of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, a condemnation of another, or an abdication of responsibility,” Lewis wrote. (It’s unclear who the “we” is here. Lewis? Lewis and Bezos? A secret third group?) “It’s inevitable. We don't see it that way. We see this as consistent with the values ​​the Post has always stood for and with what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in the service of American ethics, reverence for the rule of law and respect for human freedom in all its aspects aspects. ”

This is now the second American newspaper after The Los Angeles Timesto kill a Harris ad at the owner's behest. Just Owner Patrick Soon-Shiong also blocked a planned support, This caused the newspaper's editorial editor to resign in protest.

The postThe union says it is “deeply concerned” that the newspaper would do this just 11 days before an “immensely consequential” election. “The message from our CEO Will Lewis – not the editorial board itself – gives us cause for concern that management has compromised the work of our editorial board members.” Readers are already canceling subscriptions, the statement said. According to Semafor's Max Tani, neoconservative scholar Robert Kagan has resigned as editor-in-chief.

Two Washington Post Board members Charles Lane and Stephen W. Stromberg wrote the recommendation, according to Harris The Columbia Journalism Review. David Shipley, the site's editorial director, told staff the recommendation was “on the right track, adding that 'this is obviously something our owner is interested in,'” said David Shipley, the site's editor-in-chief The CJR. Today, Shipley told the board there would be no approval. This was followed by Lewis's peculiar editorial.

“This is cowardice, a moment of darkness that sacrifices democracy,” said Marty Baron, the former Washington Post Editor-in-Chief, in a text message to the post. “Donald Trump will celebrate this as an invitation to further intimidation The post's owner Jeff Bezos (and other media owners). History will mark a disturbing chapter in the spinelessness of an institution known for its courage.”