LA Times Shifts Policy, Ends Editorials About Trump

The Los Angeles Times will no longer feature editorial opinions about President-elect Donald Trump, a significant shift announced by owner Patrick Soon-Shiong. The decision marks a broader effort to move the paper toward a more balanced editorial stance.

Soon-Shiong, who has owned the publication since 2018, faced backlash earlier this year after halting an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. That move reportedly led to nearly 20,000 subscription cancellations and the resignation of multiple editorial board members.

“The only way you can survive is to not be an echo chamber of one side,” Soon-Shiong said in an interview. He emphasized that while he remains committed to funding the paper, it must develop a sustainable business model that attracts a wider range of readers.

This shift comes as other media outlets, such as the Washington Post under owner Jeff Bezos, have also reconsidered their political stances. Bezos’ paper notably refrained from endorsing either presidential candidate this year, a decision that reflects growing efforts to appear less partisan.

Soon-Shiong plans to bring in more conservative voices to the paper’s opinion section, a move he argues is necessary to appeal to a broader audience. “Nobody has 100% the right view,” he stated, calling for less polarization and more respect for differing perspectives.

The policy change has not been without controversy. Harry Litman, a longtime columnist for the Times, announced his resignation earlier this month, accusing the paper of “appeasing Trump” for profit-driven motives. Litman’s departure highlights the internal tensions surrounding the paper’s new direction.

In addition to subscription losses, the Times faces challenges from declining print readership and increased competition from digital news outlets.

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