Robert Kagan, former editor-at-large for The Washington Post, has leveled serious allegations against the paper’s owner, Jeff Bezos. Kagan claims that Bezos made a deal with Donald Trump, resulting in the decision to cancel the Washington Post’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. Kagan shared his insights in an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast, describing what he believes to be a “quid pro quo” arrangement tied to Bezos’ other ventures, particularly Blue Origin.
Alleged Backroom Deal between Bezos and Trump
The timing, Kagan argues, tells the story. On the same day Trump met with Blue Origin executives, Bezos reportedly made the final call to withhold support for Harris. According to Kagan, Trump’s meeting with Blue Origin representatives seems to signify that both leaders had reached an understanding, with Trump ensuring Bezos adhered to the agreement before committing to the meeting.
“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 explained, adding that the exchange suggests a broader political strategy for media influence in the case of a second Trump term.
The Washington Post’s Changing Editorial Direction
Kagan believes Bezos’ move is indicative of a larger agenda to shift the Washington Post’s editorial direction. Kagan suggests Bezos may be trying to transform the Post into a more conservative-leaning publication, akin to The Wall Street Journal, especially with William Lewis, the new publisher, at the helm. Lewis, however, maintains that the decision was not influenced by Bezos, saying it was based on a philosophical opposition to making presidential endorsements.
In his departure from the Post, Kagan warns of potential “self-censorship” in the media if Trump wins a second term, stating, “All Trump has to do is threaten the corporate chiefs who run these organizations with real financial loss, and they will bend the knee.”
Bezos’ History of Clashes with Trump
Bezos has clashed with Trump before, most notably over a 2016 endorsement of Hillary Clinton by the Washington Post. Kagan cites this history as a motivator for Bezos to take a more cautious approach, especially given Trump’s repeated criticism of Amazon and Bezos, and the $10 billion cloud computing contract that Amazon lost to Microsoft during Trump’s administration.
Kagan argues that Bezos’ role in nixing the Harris endorsement underscores his intent to maintain good relations with Trump, potentially positioning the Post for a future where it might take a softer stance on Trump and his policies.
Mixed Reactions and Future Implications for the Post
Kagan’s accusations have reignited conversations on social media, with #BoycottAmazon trending as critics voice concerns over Bezos’ influence on the Washington Post and possible media bias. Bezos’ track record as a hands-off owner has now come under scrutiny, with Kagan suggesting that Bezos may have strategically positioned Lewis to pivot the paper’s ideological stance as necessary.
