Much digital ink has been spilled over The Washington Post’s decision to forgo endorsing a presidential candidate this year. The Post frames this as a return to its roots, with owner Jeff Bezos reportedly viewing it as a move to bolster public trust in journalism. However, reactions have been fierce. Some see this as a tragic step away from journalistic duty and a symptom of fears of provoking a potential second Trump administration. Skeptics have derided the decision as clumsy, while reports of subscriber cancellations circulate. Meanwhile, international publications, like the South China Morning Post, seem amused by the uproar.

What these responses miss is that The Washington Post’s choice is not an isolated anomaly but part of a rising trend among newspapers. This movement away from endorsements isn’t rooted in partisan concerns but rather in the economic realities of modern journalism.

Read my complete take at AEI.