### Outgoing Washington Post Editor Claims Bezos-Trump Backroom Deal Over Harris Endorsement

Robert Kagan, the outgoing editor-at-large and longtime columnist for The Washington Post, has made startling allegations about a covert agreement between the newspaper's owner, Jeff Bezos, and former President Donald Trump. According to Kagan, Bezos withdrew the paper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris due to a quid pro quo with Trump. Kagan resigned on Friday after over two decades at the publication.

Kagan shared his insights with the Daily Beast, stating, “Trump waited to make sure that Bezos did what he said he was going to do, and then met with the Blue Origin people," referring to the meeting between Trump and executives of Bezos' space company on the same day the endorsement plan was dropped. Kagan asserts that this coordination indicates a direct or indirect communication between Bezos and Trump, securing a deal to influence the newspaper’s political stance.

Kagan, a vocal critic of Trump since 2016, warned of increasing media self-censorship and strategic alignment to avert punishment, especially if Trump were to win a second term. His concerns echo his past commentary on the dangers of authoritarianism and its potential impact on American democracy, suggesting media owners might yield to presidential pressures to avoid financial repercussions.

The relationship between Bezos and Trump has been fraught with tension. The Washington Post's endorsement of Hillary Clinton in 2016 is believed to have cost Bezos a $10 billion defense contract for cloud computing, awarded during Trump's administration. Throughout Trump's presidency, Bezos and Amazon endured repeated accusations from Trump, including claims of scamming the United States Postal Service.

Kagan emphasizes that threats of significant financial losses could bend media corporations to Trump’s will. He suggests that Bezos' recent decision to retract the Harris endorsement revealed a long-term strategic maneuver, casting doubt on Bezos’ previously hands-off ownership style. Kagan described this posture as mere “Kabuki.”

The appointment of Will Lewis as the newspaper's publisher further fuels Kagan's speculation. Though Lewis claims the endorsement withdrawal was based on his belief against presidential endorsements, sources indicate he was initially resistant to nixing the endorsement. Kagan posits that Bezos' intention is to realign the Post’s editorial stance more in line with center-right publications like The Wall Street Journal, with Lewis as a key player in this transformation.

In closing, Kagan foresees a divided newsroom; some journalists may adapt to the new direction, while others may choose to leave, only to be replaced. This potential shift marks a profound transformation in the landscape of media dynamics under the influence of corporate and political power plays.