Former Washington Post Editor Claims Bezos Made Deal with Trump to Block Harris Endorsement

[Social Media]

 

In a striking claim, a former senior editor at The Washington Post has accused Jeff Bezos, the paper’s billionaire owner, of brokering a deal with former President Donald Trump to halt the newspaper’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Robert Kagan, a longtime Post editor-at-large who resigned following the newspaper's decision to forgo endorsements, told The Daily Beast that Bezos supposedly entered into a quid-pro-quo arrangement with Trump, aimed at protecting the business interests of Bezos’s space company, Blue Origin.

 

 

According to Kagan, the arrangement surfaced following a meeting between Trump and Blue Origin executives soon after the Post’s decision not to endorse any presidential candidate. “Trump waited to make sure that Bezos did what he said he was going to do, and then met with the Blue Origin people,” Kagan reportedly told The Daily Beast, implying that the meeting was strategically timed to reinforce the alleged pact. “Which tells us that there was an actual deal made, meaning that Bezos communicated, or through his people, communicated directly with Trump, and they set up this quid pro quo,” Kagan alleged.

 

 

Although Kagan stands by his interpretation of the events, he provided no tangible evidence of a direct quid-pro-quo agreement. Representatives for Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post have so far not responded to these claims. Kagan, a longtime critic of Trump, asserted that the alleged collaboration between the former president and Bezos had "been in the works for some time" and would likely prompt “a lot of censorship” in the media as influential billionaires seek to protect their financial interests.

 

Kagan’s abrupt resignation came in the wake of a major shift at The Washington Post, as CEO William Lewis announced that the paper would break with its 36-year tradition and would not endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential race, nor in future elections. Kagan, along with other editorial staff, had reportedly been preparing an endorsement of Harris, waiting only for final approval from Lewis and Bezos before the plan was scrapped.

 

Bezos, whose net worth was estimated by Bloomberg Billionaires Index at $209 billion as of Friday, had long been a target of Trump during his time in office, with Trump frequently attacking The Washington Post for its coverage of his administration. Some inside sources at the Post believe Bezos’s decision may reflect a strategic calculation to avoid alienating the Republican frontrunner, whose support could influence the future regulatory landscape for Amazon and other Bezos-led ventures. The Amazon founder has stayed notably silent on the 2024 election.

 

“This is what we have to look forward to,” Kagan reportedly told The Daily Beast, describing the scenario as a forewarning. “All Trump has to do is threaten the corporate chiefs who run these organizations with real financial loss, and they will bend the knee.”

 

The decision to refrain from endorsements echoes that of the Los Angeles Times, whose billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong similarly declined to support any presidential candidate, resulting in a wave of resignations from the Times' editorial board. At The Washington Post, the decision led to 2,000 canceled subscriptions within 24 hours, a number a staffer described to Semafor as “an unusually high number” for such a short period.

 

Kagan’s claims add fuel to an ongoing debate over the intersection of wealth, media influence, and political power, especially in an election season marked by close scrutiny of media endorsements and the interests they represent.

 

Based on a report from the NYP 2024-10-28

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Wouldn't be at all surprising.

[Cryingdick]

If true it seems to indicate Bezos think trump will win. 

[Tug]

Ditto here with this thought as well they are both anti labor im sure bezos has that in mind as well.to the poster above mine I’m thinking he’s hedging his bets.

[Cryingdick]

The funny thing is that even an ultra liberal douchebag like Bezos can see the writing on the wall. He has ran so much cover for the dems in the past. In return they relentlessly attacked him. I never understood that.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

If true it seems to indicate Bezos think trump will win. 

It indicates Trump thinks Harris will win.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

The funny thing is that even an ultra liberal douchebag like Bezos can see the writing on the wall. He has ran so much cover for the dems in the past. In return they relentlessly attacked him. I never understood that.

You not understanding stuff … unmm.

 

Maybe the reason why you don’t understand your own conclusions is the basis upon which you draw them.

 

Let’s apply Occam's Razor.

 

’Billionaires billionaire’.

 

All of them!

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Although Kagan stands by his interpretation of the events, he provided no tangible evidence of a direct quid-pro-quo agreement.

no tangible evidence

Surprise, surprise, surprise, NOT.

 

The desperation is becoming overwhelming. They must be really believing that Trump has at least a 50% chance of winning to stoop so low.

[Callmeishmael]

3 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

an ultra liberal douchebag like Bezos

Bezos is far from liberal.  He is the modern version of a 19th century robber baron!  If he could call out the National Guard to put down labor organizers he would.

 

 

[JonnyF]

More tittle tattle from an increasingly desperate left wing. 

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

More tittle tattle from an increasingly desperate left wing. 

They must have a special committee thinking up ways to sabotage Trump, so many idiotic schemes have appeared recently.IMO too many to be co incidental.

[jippytum]

Nothing new here. Rubert Murdoch for example  has influenced elections in different countries for decades via his media empire. 

[WDSmart]

I am about as anti-Trump as anyone can be, and I wish the Washington Post and all newspapers would endorse Kamala Harris. Though it is despicable to me, I don't believe it is illegal for a newspaper owner to "make a deal" with a politician regarding endorsements (or non-endorsements). It's then up to the newspaper's readers to decide how they will deal with that. I understand that thousands of subscribers have canceled their subscriptions to the newspaper.

[john donson]

blabla...was harris elected by the voters to be the candidate for the dems?

[CallumWK]

Amazing, when you don't endorse any of the candidates, most likely for reasons to avoid offending any in your customer base, you are now labelled pro Trump by the desperate liberals.

I have news for you. At the polls, you will be made aware how delusional you actually are.

 

[Eric Loh]

All I see is that Trump's bullying and threatening the freedom of the press is scaring major news media and Maga folks think that is a good. What an unrecognisable country USA has become, making a mockery of the 1st Amendment. 

[Emdog]

Mencken once wrote, “Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”

[transam]

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It indicates Trump thinks Harris will win.

Of course, plus, Trump will try any dodgy deal to become a Dictator.......

[Eric Loh]

22 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Mencken once wrote, “Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”

In authoritarianism government, this may not be so. 

[Jingthing]

Very much worth reading.

I'm a WAPO subscriber but here is a case to not cancel in the wake of the Bezos Trump deal.

 

Opinion | I’m not quitting the Washington Post, and I hope you don’t, either - The Washington Post

On Thursday night, at the Pulitzer Prize Awards Ceremony in New York, my Post colleagues were feted for winning top honors in three categories. A series, assembled by more than 75 Post journalists on the AR-15’s singular capacity to kill, won for national reporting. And on the editorial side, The Post had a double win: In the commentary category, Vladimir Kara-Murza, writing from prison in Russia, won for his columns demanding democracy in his country; in the editorial writing category, David E. Hoffman won for his series on the “Annals of Autocracy” and the global battle for democracy.

 

Yet the next day, my colleagues and I were deluged with emails and messages from readers on social media. Many said they love our work but are canceling their subscriptions. Still others demanded that we all quit:

“Your lack of resignation is a silent endorsement of Donald Trump for President.”

 

[billd766]

4 hours ago, john donson said:

blabla...was harris elected by the voters to be the candidate for the dems?

And was Trump, elected by the voters to be the candidate for the gop?

[Donga]

5 hours ago, jippytum said:

Nothing new here. Rubert Murdoch for example  has influenced elections in different countries for decades via his media empire. 

Murdoch empire influence is exaggerated continually by the left. In Australia, Sky News on TV is subscription, same for their website news, and have no radio. The left/Green/Free Palestine/Woke ABC have free to air TV, free web access and radio throughout the country. Fortunately their regional radio is not as biased as the capital cities. Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in Melbourne are not as biased as the ABC, but certainly not given to conservative views. The Guardian in Australia is not far removed from Al Jazeera in their view of the world.

In US and UK there is a range of left wing media - BBC, The Guardian, Washington Post, CNN, New York Times. Murdoch knows his market and reaches out to them just as the others reach out to theirs.

So why do left wing folk blame Murdoch when they lose an election, but unwilling to credit the support of the many friendly media when they win?

Edited October 28 by Donga

[CanadaSam]

Somebody please explain why, in the US, the people can vote with a majority for a Presidential candidate, but that candidate can lose, through something called "electoral congress" or some such thing.

 

Not much different from Thailand, innit, where a majority win by the popular people's vote is summarily dismissed and someone else gets to lead the country!

[Scottie12]

Shame it didn't work out,anyone but Harris would have walked this election.

[thaipo7]

13 hours ago, Tug said:

Ditto here with this thought as well they are both anti labor im sure bezos has that in mind as well.to the poster above mine I’m thinking he’s hedging his bets.

I love that Trump lives in your head.  lol   Why didn't you make a statement in the other story on anti-Israel happenings in NY.   

[Elkski]

It is a big deal to stop endorsements after 36 years and then blue origin big wigs get to meet behind closed doors with Trump.   Editors quiting says it all.    How often does the right complain about Sorros?  Bozos didn't buy it for no reason.   Sadly I'm addicted to the convenience of getting things on my porch in 1-2 days.   Easily eliminates many hours driving each week for me. 

[Tug]

1 hour ago, thaipo7 said:

I love that Trump lives in your head.  lol   Why didn't you make a statement in the other story on anti-Israel happenings in NY.   

Trump is a threat to our democracy here at home and if by some horrific mistake he gets elected the rest of the free world so yes I pay attention.as far as Israel goes they our our Allies this administration doesn’t abandon allies.the Palestinians people are going to have to turn in their hammas killers they have no choice.hope that helps.

[Emdog]

8 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

In authoritarianism government, this may not be so. 

There was another good quote, can't remember who or exact wording, but gist was "No government ever shut down a news outlet that  supported it"

[Cryingdick]

6 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

Somebody please explain why, in the US, the people can vote with a majority for a Presidential candidate, but that candidate can lose, through something called "electoral congress" or some such thing.

 

Not much different from Thailand, innit, where a majority win by the popular people's vote is summarily dismissed and someone else gets to lead the country!

 

There is this thing called the internet. You can use it to educate yourself on this and many other topics taught in elementary school. You're welcome.

 

I will go a step further and point you in the right direction. Everything is explained in terms you can understand here.

 

https://thekidsguide.com/presidentialelection/?promotioncode=T24DE24C&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABPXtKG4IbAjQRqxoBbKLGkB_6RVS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhPHiwqKxiQMV-DYIBR00EyruEAAYASAAEgKRH_D_BwE

Edited October 28 by Cryingdick

[Yellowtail]

“Republicans buy sneakers, too.”