US newspapers break tradition and refuse to endorse presidential candidates

Report by Farrukh Warraich

Washington DC (LAHORE MIRROR) — In an unusual shift from tradition, The Washington Post, one of America’s leading newspapers, has announced that it will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

Historically, the publication has backed Democratic candidates; however, this time, its owner, Jeff Bezos, who also owns Amazon, has decided to remain neutral. Many speculate that Bezos is concerned about potential repercussions if former President Donald Trump were to regain power, as it could lead to difficulties for him or his business under a new Trump administration.

Similarly, The Los Angeles Times has opted to abstain from endorsing any candidate, marking a major deviation from previous election cycles. In response to these decisions, some editorial members of both newspapers have resigned in protest, signalling the internal tensions surrounding the endorsements.

Despite these abstentions, high-profile business figures are still keenly observing the election landscape. Wealthy business leaders are not only analysing the potential impacts of a win or loss by their preferred candidates but are also actively leveraging their wealth and influence to sway the election outcome in their favor. This increased influence from the business community signals a growing entanglement of wealth and politics as Election Day approaches.

Just a few days ago, Bill Gates publicly announced a contribution exceeding 50 million dollars to support Kamala Harris’s campaign. Meanwhile, over 50 million Americans have already cast their votes through early voting, highlighting the high-stakes environment of this year’s election.

Both the endorsements—or lack thereof—and the major financial contributions underscore how business influence continues to play a critical role in shaping US elections.