Washington Put up proprietor Jeff Bezos mentioned Wednesday that the paper’s opinion editor has “determined to step away” because the part takes a brand new path specializing in “private liberties and free markets.”

Bezos, the founding father of Amazon, introduced the adjustments on X.

“We’re going to be writing day by day in assist and protection of two pillars: private liberties and free markets,” he wrote. “We’ll cowl different matters too after all, however viewpoints opposing these pillars will likely be left to be revealed by others.” 

Bezos defined that at present the web covers the duty that newspaper opinion sections as soon as did — masking opinions on all views. 

Bezos mentioned he provided David Shipley, the paper’s opinion editor, the chance to remain on the helm beneath this new editorial path, however he declined. 

Shipley had helmed the part since 2022.

“I recommended to him that if the reply wasn’t ‘hell sure’ then it needed to be ‘no.’ After cautious consideration, David determined to step away. It is a important shift, it gained’t be simple, and it’ll require 100% dedication — I respect his determination. We’ll be trying to find a brand new Opinion Editor to personal this new path,” Bezos mentioned.

Bezos defined a motive for the change in path, saying: “A giant a part of America’s success has been freedom within the financial realm and in every single place else. Freedom is moral — it minimizes coercion — and sensible — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.”

“I’m assured that free markets and private liberties are proper for America. I additionally consider these viewpoints are underserved within the present market of concepts and information opinion. I’m excited for us collectively to fill that void,” he added.

The Washington Put up — and Bezos — clashed with President Donald Trump over the paper’s protection throughout Trump’s first time period. Trump repeatedly took goal at Bezos and threatened antitrust motion in opposition to Amazon. In Trump’s still-young second time period, nevertheless, Bezos has appeared to have taken a distinct tack, even attending the president’s inauguration together with different prosperous tech titans.

The Put up’s editorial transfer was applauded by Elon Musk, who wrote on X: “Bravo @JeffBezos!”

Some Washington Put up journalists additionally weighed in on the adjustments, most notably Jeff Stein, the paper’s White Home economics reporter, who posted to X: “Huge encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Put up’s opinion part at present — makes clear dissenting views is not going to be revealed or tolerated there.”

“I nonetheless haven’t felt encroachment on my journalism on the information facet of protection, but when Bezos tries interfering with the information facet I will likely be quitting instantly and letting you understand,” Stein added.

Marlene Lenthang

Marlene Lenthang is a breaking information reporter for NBC Information Digital.