Over 200,000 digital subscriptions had been canceled, marking 8% of the Post’s total paid circulation. While not all cancellations take effect immediately, the scale of departures reflects growing dissatisfaction among readers and staff alike.

Bezos’s rationale — a return to the Post’s roots as an “independent paper” — has been met with skepticism, given the timing of the decision, mere weeks before a tightly contested election between Harris and former President Donald Trump. Former Executive Editors like Marty Baron and Marcus Brauchli have publicly questioned the move, emphasizing that such a decision could appear politically motivated, especially without input from the editorial board.

Two columnists, including Pulitzer Prize winner David Hoffman, and two editorial board members have resigned in protest, warning of the dangers of perceived silence on issues of democratic significance. In his resignation letter, Hoffman criticized the lack of transparency and underscored the Post’s historical commitment to speaking truth to power, especially during political repression. Fellow columnist Molly Roberts warned of the risks associated with staying quiet, noting that it could contribute to eroding democratic norms.

Adding to the tensions, a meeting between senior executives from Bezos’s aerospace company, Blue Origin, and Trump occurred shortly after the endorsement decision, intensifying concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Although Bezos has since addressed the public in an opinion piece, reiterating that his decision was rooted in principle, he admitted that his other business ventures might complicate perceptions of independence at the Post.

This situation highlights the difficult balancing act between journalistic independence, public perception, and the influence of corporate ownership in the news industry. The Post’s coverage remains essential for in-depth investigative journalism, and many former editors urge readers to maintain their subscriptions to support the paper’s work. Yet, the response illustrates the intense polarization in today’s media landscape and the stakes for news organizations seeking to maintain integrity and influence.

As the Post continues to navigate this turbulent period, the commitment to independent journalism remains front and center, but the path forward is anything but certain.