There’s a sense of relief in the air as some familiar figures associated with the Washington Post seem to be stepping back, including Philip Bump, Catherine Rampell, and Jonathan Capehart. The Washington Post is becoming a bit leaner.
“Professional news updates” I wrote it X earlier this week, Rampel announced her departure after 11 years with WAPO.
It’s really interesting to see how some journalists navigate the complex landscape of media and politics, seeking favor with the Democratic establishment.
Lampel mentioned she’d be working part-time at MSNBC, which is kind of amusing considering Kamala Harris—who I think has never actually worked at McDonald’s—has a similar weekend shift.
Jonathan Capehart, a notable figure since the Trump era, also made headlines. He lost his weekend MSNBC show earlier this year, and now he’s officially left the Washington Post.
What really caught my attention this week was not just the departure of Capehart but the discussion around Bump, who has had quite the controversial career. His approach often seemed oblivious, pushing narratives that, well, lacked credibility. Here’s a quick rundown of some of his more questionable claims:
- Bump argued against the notion that Democrats govern the most violent cities in America.
- In 2015, he claimed that mass shootings occurred weekly for over two years.
- He suggested that the 14% of Muslims supporting ISIS was a reason not to restrict immigration.
- Notably, he claimed that “Trump Authoritarianism” was behind losses at CBS, while he himself drew a considerable salary.
- His final piece in the Post was just another rendition of narratives that have been recycled since 2015.
These departures are not isolated; they’re part of a larger trend. Other notable names like Anne Ternaes, David Shipley, and Ruth Marcus also left the Post this year.
What’s behind this wave of exits? It seems clear that writing critically about ideas or perspectives that don’t align with the ownership can have serious consequences, especially when the Washington Post is reportedly losing significant revenue.
Bezos, though wealthy, doesn’t seem willing to fund a publication that’s become a playground for elite opinions against Trump. After the 2024 elections, he hinted at a shift toward advocating personal freedom and market principles, leaving many of these writers feeling out of step.
So, they’re gone, and while some may find that delightful, they’re likely looking for new opportunities—or maybe just into the growing pool of disillusioned journalists.
But not all is well—The Post still retains some controversial figures, including Karen Attia, who has expressed support for some rather contentious views.
It’s worth noting the trend of exits during the Trump era:
- Jonathan Capehart – Departed WAPO.
- Philip Bump – Left the Washington Post.
- Katherine Rampel – Also left Wapo.
- Terry Moran – Left ABC amidst tensions.
- Ruth Marcus – Resigned from the Washington Post.
- 538 – Closed its doors.
- Paul Krugman – Left the New York Times.
- Jim Acosta – No longer with CNN.
- Norah O’Donnell – Departed CBS.
- Chuck Todd – Left NBC’s Meet the Press.
- Andrea Mitchell – Ended her tenure at NBC.
- Chris Wallace – Moved from CNN.
- Jennifer Rubin – Out from Washington Post.
- Joy Reid – Dismissed from MSNBC.
- Neil Kabuto – Exited Fox News.
- Alex Wagner – Demoted at MSNBC.
- Ayman Mohyeldin – Lost his MSNBC slot.
- Olivia Nuzzi – Involved in controversy.
- Katie Phang – Left MSNBC program.
- Jonathan Capehart – Resigned from the editorial committee of the Washington Post.
- Lester Holt – Continues as anchor at NBC Nightly News.
- 1/3 of the New York Times Editorial Committee – Shifting away.
- Eugene Robinson – Stopping involvement in certain projects.
- Ryan Lizza – Dealing with misconduct allegations.
- Bill Owens – Resigned from 60 Minutes.
