WaPo owner Jeff Bezos announced changes to the paper’s opinion pages on Wednesday, resulting in editor David Shipley’s resignation and a bunch of far-left readers losing their collective minds.
Bezos says the opinion pages will now focus on “personal liberties” and “free markets.” Period.
Read Bezos’ full post from X below:
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void. Jeff
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too…
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) February 26, 2025
Shipley shared news of his departure with co-workers via email.
This is a conclusion I reached after reflection on how I can best move forward in the profession I love. I will always be thankful for the opportunity I was given to work alongside a team of opinion journalists whose commitment to strong, innovative, reported commentary inspired me every day – and was affirmed by two Pulitzer Prizes and two Loeb Awards in two short years. I consider it an honor to have been part of The Post. I will miss you all.
NEW: David Shipley's farewell email to Post staff pic.twitter.com/AhfqJAXdgm
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) February 26, 2025
Former ESPN and MSNBC host Keith Olbermann isn’t handling the news well.
Fuck you, Nazi
And tell your plastic girlfriend she's actually shamed herself, which none of us whoever met her thought was possible
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 26, 2025
More reactions below:
Massive encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section today – makes clear dissenting views will not be published or tolerated there
I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the… pic.twitter.com/7hzWCUDCVV
— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 26, 2025
Everything Bezos owns needs to be canceled. The only thing he and those like him understand is money. I loved the convenience of Amazon but knowingly contributing to the bottom line of a person supporting a white suprimacist actively undermining democracy and harming vulnerable… pic.twitter.com/bMjmtNETyQ
— Dr. Karen (@KarMcR) February 26, 2025
Phil is taking the news well: pic.twitter.com/5EAxLNc8p0
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 26, 2025
Last straw pic.twitter.com/wkaLGoVHk4
— Jeffrey Evan Gold (@jeffgoldesq) February 26, 2025
This story is developing…