In a candid op-ed, *Washington Post* owner Jeff Bezos acknowledged America’s deep mistrust of mainstream media, pledging sweeping reforms to restore credibility and break away from partisan leanings—including the paper’s first-ever decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in 36 years.
Jeff Bezos, the owner of *The Washington Post*, made waves Thursday with an op-ed acknowledging that Americans no longer see the Post or other major newspapers as “credible” or “accurate.” Citing a recent Gallup poll showing record-low confidence in the media, with only 31% of Americans expressing trust in news outlets, Bezos laid out plans to tackle the trust gap directly. In a notable move, Bezos defended the Post's decision to forgo a presidential endorsement in 2024—a first in 36 years. Even Vice President Kamala Harris, often covered favorably by the Post, was not endorsed, adding to the list of publications opting out of endorsing this cycle.
Bezos argued that endorsements create a "perception of bias" rather than influence on voters, explaining that the paper’s return to impartiality is essential to regaining readers’ trust. He acknowledged the decision came “inadequately close to the election,” which he said could invite misinterpretations.
Pointing to high-profile staff departures and Democratic readers canceling subscriptions, Bezos highlighted the industry-wide struggle for credibility, attributing growing mistrust to the public’s turn toward unvetted sources on social media. “The Washington Post and the New York Times win prizes,” Bezos wrote, “but increasingly we talk only to a certain elite.” Reflecting on the paper’s broader mission, he committed to reforms designed to reverse this trend, preserve journalistic integrity, and prioritize credibility over partisanship.
Bezos concluded by pledging to reinvigorate the Post’s journalism for a divided nation. “This is no easy task, but it’s essential,” he wrote, underscoring the stakes for the country and the media’s crucial role.