Veteran Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin and former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen launched a new publication, The Contrarian, citing concerns about the Post’s compromised independence and its failure to robustly challenge authoritarianism. The publication, described as pro-democracy rather than simply anti-Trump, will feature diverse voices and utilize a Substack platform, offering some free content alongside a paid subscription model. The Contrarian’s launch follows several high-profile departures from the Washington Post, fueled by controversies surrounding owner Jeff Bezos and the newspaper’s perceived reluctance to criticize powerful figures. The founders aim to provide “unshackled media” to combat what they see as an existential threat to American democracy.
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Jennifer Rubin, a Washington Post columnist, resigned, citing Jeff Bezos’s allegedly “bent-knee approach” to President-elect Trump as a threat to American democracy. Rubin’s departure follows other resignations stemming from perceived pro-Trump biases at the Bezos-owned Post and other major media outlets. In her resignation, Rubin accused Bezos and other corporate media owners of prioritizing profit over journalistic integrity and betraying their audience’s trust. She launched a new media outlet, The Contrarian, aiming to provide unbiased commentary.
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Dozens of employees in the Washington Post’s business division are expected to be laid off this week. This follows recent turmoil, including the October cancellation of a Kamala Harris endorsement, resulting in significant subscription cancellations and staff resignations. Further departures include Josh Dawsey to the Wall Street Journal and the recent resignation of Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes. These layoffs add to previous job cuts in 2024 and 2023.
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Jeff Bezos’ actions, including a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration and a recent Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump and Elon Musk, suggest an attempt to curry favor with the former president. This apparent appeasement is further evidenced by the Washington Post’s suppression of a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoon critical of billionaires’ deference to Trump and the subsequent cancellation of a Kamala Harris endorsement, costing the Post subscribers. Simultaneously, Amazon Studios is producing a Melania Trump documentary, raising concerns about potential bias and undue influence within Bezos’ media empire. These actions, along with the resignation of the cartoonist in protest, highlight anxieties regarding the influence of billionaire media owners on journalistic integrity.
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Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned from the Washington Post after the paper refused to publish her cartoon depicting media and tech CEOs kneeling before Donald Trump. The Post’s opinions editor cited concerns about repetition of a similar column, a claim Telnaes disputed, asserting this was the first time a cartoon was rejected due to its subject matter. Telnaes argued this decision was dangerous for a free press, especially given the context of recent actions by other media outlets seemingly appeasing Trump. Her resignation follows the Post’s controversial decision to not endorse Kamala Harris, which resulted in significant subscriber losses.
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The Washington Post’s decision to kill a cartoon by longtime editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes, depicting Jeff Bezos and other tech billionaires alongside Donald Trump, resulted in Telnaes’ resignation. This action sparked outrage and debate, highlighting concerns about censorship and the influence of wealth on journalistic integrity.
The cartoon, a powerful visual commentary on the intersection of big tech and political power, was deemed too repetitive by the editors, who cited the recent publication of related columns. However, many felt this explanation was inadequate, particularly given Telnaes’ sixteen-year tenure and her reputation for insightful and impactful work. The perceived inconsistency in editorial standards raised questions about whether the decision was truly based on journalistic considerations or influenced by external pressures.… Continue reading
Jeff Bezos expressed optimism regarding President-elect Trump’s second term, particularly concerning the potential reduction of regulations. He stated his willingness to assist in this effort, believing excessive regulation hinders economic growth. This statement follows Bezos’ controversial decision to halt *The Washington Post*’s presidential endorsements, a move he defended. Speculation arose regarding Bezos potentially joining Trump’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, alongside Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
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Following Donald Trump’s victory in the recent election, a number of prominent billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Mark Cuban, Elon Musk, and Satya Nadella, took to social media to congratulate the newly elected president. These high-profile individuals, representing diverse industries like technology and finance, expressed their support for Trump, with some even acknowledging his campaign’s success and the legitimacy of the election results. Notably, Bill Ackman, a hedge fund manager, went further by expressing his hope that the Democratic Party would undergo a significant transformation following Trump’s victory.
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Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post, praised Donald Trump’s presidential victory, days after the Washington Post reportedly canceled an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Bezos attributed the decision to cancel the endorsement to a belief that endorsements have little impact on voters and contribute to the perception of media bias. The decision drew criticism from several Post reporters and subscribers, and the outlet reportedly lost 250,000 subscribers as a result. The Washington Post claims to have reverted to its original policy of not endorsing presidential candidates.
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Jeff Bezos’ decision to override his own publisher and quash the Washington Post’s potential endorsement of Kamala Harris speaks to a larger issue that gnaws at the integrity of our democracy. The very notion that one individual—especially someone as staggeringly wealthy as Bezos—can wield such influence over an institution that is supposed to be a bastion of free press is alarming. It raises fundamental questions about who controls the narrative and whether our public discourse can be shaped by those with the deepest pockets rather than the concerns of everyday citizens.
The timing of this intervention is especially curious and contentious.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood