### Washington Post to Halt Presidential Endorsements

In a notable policy shift, The Washington Post has declared that it will cease endorsing presidential candidates. This decision marks a departure from the tradition observed over many decades by the esteemed publication.

Will Lewis, the chief executive of The Post, communicated this change to the newsroom on Friday. "The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election," he stated, adding, "nor in any future presidential election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates."

Historically, The Post has endorsed presidential candidates since 1976, beginning with Jimmy Carter, who successfully clinched the election that year. Nonetheless, prior to this period, the newspaper largely refrained from issuing presidential endorsements, with the notable exception in 1952 when it supported Dwight Eisenhower.

Speculations were rife about the possibility of an endorsement this year, with some suggesting, without evidence, that The Post's billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos, might be influenced by the implications of a potential Trump administration due to his other business ties involving federal government contracts.

The decision not to endorse was made after deliberations among senior Post leaders, according to a source familiar with the discussions. In his message to the staff, Lewis emphasized that this move does not imply support for one candidate or condemnation of another. He referenced a 1960 editorial stating it was "wiser for an independent newspaper in the Nation's Capital" not to make an endorsement.

The announcement reflects a return to the newspaper's earlier stance on political neutrality at the presidential level, setting a new precedent for its future coverage of national elections.