As the Washington Post faces a subscriber exodus after its controversial decision to stay neutral in the 2024 presidential election, owner Jeff Bezos was celebrating in Europe, sparking frustration among staff and observers. The policy shift, which more than 250,000 subscribers protested by canceling their accounts, came after Bezos blocked an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, a decision he made while on a luxury getaway with pop star Katy Perry.
The situation unfolded quickly: After Bezos intervened last Friday, the paper’s leadership announced that it would abandon its tradition of candidate endorsements, a move the Post’s publisher, Will Lewis, had reportedly opposed.
Meanwhile, Bezos was overseas with his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, celebrating Perry’s 40th birthday with a group that included actor Orlando Bloom, as Sanchez documented on social media.
The timing of the trip, along with images of skydiving and partying, fueled concerns about Bezos’ commitment to navigating the newspaper through one of its largest subscriber crises in years.
Many of the Post’s readers were newly energized supporters, engaged by Harris’ campaign against Donald Trump after President Joe Biden exited the race. But with nearly 10% of subscribers canceling in a single week, the Post faces financial strain that could affect future projects, including an initiative to launch a “Third Newsroom” alongside its editorial and opinion sections.
Rival publications were quick to capitalize on the fallout. The Guardian, which affirmed its support for Harris, reported raising $1.5 million in pledges in one day. Meanwhile, The Atlantic, Vox, and others used the moment to draw disillusioned Post readers to their platforms.
In response, Bezos published a statement defending the policy change as a stand for journalistic independence, though he acknowledged the poor timing, stating, “I wish we had made the change earlier than we did.” But for many, his defense fell short, leaving questions about his dedication to the Post’s future in the wake of the controversy.
