Glenn Kessler Leaves Washington Post, Critiques Shift in Editorial Direction

On Tuesday, Glenn Kessler, a long-time editor and writer of “The Fact Checker” at the Washington Post, shared his disappointment regarding the outlet’s shift away from a left-leaning stance.

In October, the Post made the decision not to endorse a presidential candidate ahead of the 2024 election, a stance influenced by owner Jeff Bezos. Kessler noted that the Opinion section has now pivoted towards themes of personal freedom and free-market principles, which he criticized in a recent piece, citing how this could deter liberal readers.

Kessler’s tenure at the Post spanned nearly three decades. He expressed a need for balance, stating, “It’s great to get a more balanced mix of liberal and conservative readers. I couldn’t understand how we could attract conservative readers without alienating existing readers.” He underscored the Post’s commitment to rigorous accountability journalism.

In a significant move, Bezos rescinded plans to support former Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Kessler found this timing surprising, remarking, “The announcement about the non-recruitment policy came just weeks before the election, which liberal readers interpreted as a way to appeal to Donald Trump supporters.” As a result, the Post saw a notable decline, with approximately 300,000 subscriptions canceled—around 12% of its digital audience.

Kessler criticized what he viewed as a distancing from left-leaning editorial writers, pointing out that the new editorial policy didn’t resonate with readers. He highlighted the traffic driven by liberal columnists, suggesting that their exit could undermine the readership base. “Every day, I checked the daily traffic,” he noted.

On July 28, Kessler formally announced his departure from the Post following Bezos’s acquisition. He had provided critiques, including a notable piece discussing misleading videos of former President Joe Biden, labeling them as “cheap fakes.” He also pointed out that certain media outlets were echoing the messaging of the Republican National Committee.

According to Kessler, the manipulation of video clips poses significant risks: “Those labeled ‘separate’ come with a guide on how the video was operated.” The Washington Post did not respond to a request for comment regarding his departure.