The Washington Post (Opinion)

U.S. right-libertarian (post-2025 editorial shift)

Background

The Washington Post was founded in 1877 by Stilson Hutchins in Washington, D.C. Financier Eugene Meyer purchased it out of bankruptcy in 1933, and it remained under Meyer-Graham family control for roughly 80 years, building a reputation as a major national newspaper. Under Katharine Graham and editor Ben Bradlee, the Post published the Pentagon Papers (1971) and drove Watergate coverage that led to President Nixon's resignation (1974), cementing its standing as a watchdog outlet. The paper endorsed Democratic presidential candidates in 2016 and 2020. In October 2013, Jeff Bezos acquired the Post for $250 million through Nash Holdings, bringing digital investment but also eventual financial losses exceeding $100 million annually by 2024. In February 2025, Bezos publicly reoriented the opinion section around 'personal liberties and free markets,' effectively narrowing it to a libertarian-to-right-leaning lane; opinions editor David Shipley resigned in protest and more than 75,000 subscribers canceled within days. By 2026 the opinion section was widely described by outside analysts as having shifted to a conservative or right-libertarian stance, though the editorial board has occasionally criticized Trump administration moves — such as threats to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — making its overall posture toward the administration mixed rather than uniformly supportive or uniformly critical.

Sources

1. Jeff Bezos revamps Washington Post opinion section, leading editor to quit — NPR
2. 'Washington Post' editorials omit a key disclosure: Bezos' financial ties — NPR
3. Washington Post editorial board slams Trump's 'pointless standoff' with Jerome Powell — The Hill
4. Bezos Remains Silent About The Washington Post For Nearly A Year — Forbes
5. The Washington Post — Wikipedia
6. Washington Post Media Bias — AllSides
7. Who Owns the Washington Post: History and Controversy — LegalClarity
8. Washington Post publisher disclosed the paper lost $77 million last year — CNN Business

Profile compiled 2026-07-11; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

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