The Los Angeles Times editorial board recently made headlines by breaking its 20-year tradition of endorsing Democratic candidates for president, choosing not to endorse anyone in the upcoming presidential election. Despite claiming that this election is “the most consequential in a generation,” the board conspicuously omitted the presidential race from its endorsement list. This move has left many scratching their heads, especially given the paper’s historically Democratic-leaning track record.
While some have speculated that this might signal growing support for Donald Trump in typically liberal circles, a report from Semafor points to a different explanation. According to the report, billionaire owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who amassed his wealth in the healthcare industry, may have forced the editorial board’s hand, preventing an endorsement. Soon-Shiong had reportedly intervened in 2020 as well, blocking an endorsement of Elizabeth Warren during the Democratic primary, though the paper did ultimately endorse Joe Biden in the general election.
The silence from the L.A. Times’ higher-ups has only fueled the speculation. A spokesperson for the paper refused to comment on the situation, offering a vague statement that the company does not discuss “internal discussions or decisions about editorials or endorsements.”
What makes this all the more eyebrow-raising is that the L.A. Times had previously endorsed Kamala Harris during her runs for California attorney general in 2014 and the U.S. Senate in 2016. So, this retreat from the endorsement battlefield in such a pivotal election year has left more than a few on the left fuming. Some disgruntled readers have taken to social media to express their discontent, with one even sharing a screenshot of their canceled subscription as a protest against what they see as cowardice on the part of the newspaper.
This is not the first time the L.A. Times has avoided a presidential endorsement. Before 2008, the paper took a similar stance, refusing to endorse any candidate due to internal disagreements during the Watergate scandal. Interestingly enough, prior to the 1970s, the Times endorsed Republican candidates for nearly a century, dating back to its founding in 1881. This decision to sit out such a critical election now has reignited debates about media influence and neutrality, especially when billionaire owners are involved.
