Former Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler warned in an August 11, 2025, interview with Fox News Digital that the paper’s efforts to court conservative readers could alienate its core liberal readership, which he described as critical to its business model. Below is a detailed overview based on the provided search results and posts on X, critically examining the context, implications, and broader dynamics.
Key Points from Kessler’s Warning:
- Liberal Readership Reliance: Kessler emphasized that the Washington Post’s business model heavily depends on its liberal audience, stating, “The paper relies heavily on a liberal readership.” He warned that owner Jeff Bezos’s push for a more bipartisan or right-leaning editorial stance risks driving away this base, potentially impacting subscriptions and revenue.
- Context of Editorial Shift: Bezos has attempted to steer the Post toward a more conservative direction, notably through a February 26, 2025, email announcing a “new direction” for the Opinion section to focus on “personal liberties and free markets.” This led to Opinion Editor David Shipley’s resignation and public rebukes from journalists. The paper also declined to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, a decision attributed to Bezos, prompting significant backlash.
- Backlash and Subscriber Loss: The Post faced a wave of cancellations after the non-endorsement, with the Washington Post Guild noting “cancellations from once loyal readers” within hours. Estimates suggest a loss of 250,000 subscribers, roughly 10% of its digital base, highlighting the risk of alienating liberals.
Evidence of Courting Conservatives:
- Hiring Conservative Voices: The Post added conservative columnists like Ramesh Ponnuru and Jim Geraghty from National Review to its Opinion section to improve viewpoint diversity. Publisher Will Lewis also met with a prominent right-leaning journalist to discuss recruiting more conservative talent.
- New Opinion Editor: Adam O’Neal, appointed in June 2025, signaled a shift toward an “unapologetically patriotic” and “optimistic” Opinion section, aligning with Bezos’s vision. This prompted buyouts for liberal-leaning columnists like Jonathan Capehart, Molly Roberts, and Philip Bump, with others like Karen Tumulty and Dana Milbank moving to the newsroom.
- Continued Anti-Trump Tone: Despite these efforts, the Opinion section has largely maintained a critical stance on Donald Trump and Elon Musk, with columns like David Von Drehle’s comparing Musk to Howard Hughes and Shadi Hamid’s labeling Trump’s leadership as an “elected monarchy.” This suggests the shift toward conservatives is incomplete or inconsistent.
Critical Analysis:
- Risk to Business Model: Kessler’s warning aligns with data showing liberal readers as a key revenue driver. The Post’s decision to forgo a Harris endorsement led to immediate subscriber backlash, with high-profile cancellations from figures like actor Jeffrey Wright and Democratic strategist Matt McDermott. Posts on X, such as @Will_USA_1st, argue that liberals “don’t want debate” and prefer reinforcing their views, suggesting a potential market limit for a bipartisan Post.
- Bezos’s Strategy: Bezos’s push for a right-leaning shift may aim to broaden the Post’s appeal in a polarized media landscape, where conservative-leaning outlets like Fox News thrive. However, the paper’s Opinion section still leans heavily anti-Trump, indicating internal resistance or a miscalculation in execution. Critics like former columnist Jennifer Rubin accuse the Post of “ingratiating” itself with Trump to avoid confrontation, though evidence suggests editorial independence persists in many columns.
- Staff Exodus: The Post has seen significant turnover, with over 60 journalists, including high-profile names like Eugene Robinson, Josh Dawsey, and Ann Telnaes, departing in 2025. Buyouts, particularly in the Opinion section, and dissatisfaction with the editorial shift have fueled speculation about the paper’s future viability.
- Public and Industry Sentiment: X posts reflect polarized views. @MarkHalperin criticized the Post’s “extreme liberal” stance, aligning with Kessler’s view of its liberal reliance, while @InstaBharat and @ConserLibrarian amplified the warning about alienating readers. These posts are inconclusive but highlight the divisive nature of the shift.
Broader Implications:
- Media Polarization: The Post’s pivot reflects broader challenges in the media industry, where outlets struggle to balance ideological diversity with retaining core audiences. Rubin’s launch of The Contrarian on Substack as an alternative to “billionaire media” underscores distrust in outlets like the Post under Bezos’s influence.
- Financial Risks: The loss of 250,000 subscribers post-non-endorsement suggests a tangible financial hit. With digital subscriptions critical to the Post’s revenue, alienating liberals could exacerbate existing challenges, as the paper already faced buyouts and staff cuts to manage costs.
- Trust and Independence: Critics like former executive editor Martin Baron called the non-endorsement “cowardice,” arguing it invites further intimidation from Trump. This perception of compromised independence could further erode trust among liberal readers, as Rubin warned of media enabling “authoritarian regimes.”
Contrarian Perspective:
While Kessler’s warning focuses on losing liberal readers, the Post’s conservative outreach could attract a new audience, potentially offsetting losses in a polarized market. However, the data suggests limited success, as conservative readers already have established outlets, and the Post’s Opinion section remains critical of Trump and MAGA policies. The risk of alienating both sides—liberals through perceived capitulation and conservatives through insufficient alignment—looms large, potentially leaving the Post in a precarious middle ground.
Conclusion:
Glenn Kessler’s warning that the Washington Post’s efforts to court conservatives could drive away its liberal readership is grounded in the paper’s reliance on a left-leaning audience, as evidenced by the backlash to its non-endorsement of Harris and subsequent subscriber losses. Bezos’s push for a more conservative stance, including hiring right-leaning columnists and reshaping the Opinion section, has sparked internal turmoil and departures, yet the paper’s anti-Trump tone persists. The strategy risks financial and reputational damage unless it successfully attracts a new conservative audience without further alienating liberals. For further details, see Fox News () or Mediaite (), or check X for ongoing reactions.
If you’d like a chart comparing subscriber trends or a deeper analysis of specific Post columns, let me know!