Soon-Shiong Defends LA Times Shift Away From Partisanship

Billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong has announced that the Los Angeles Times will no longer publish editorials about President-elect Donald Trump. The decision reflects his broader goal of moving the paper away from its historically liberal stance.

Soon-Shiong has been vocal about the need for balance, saying, “The only way you can survive is to not be an echo chamber of one side.” This new approach follows his controversial decision to block the paper’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris during her campaign against Trump, which led to backlash from readers and staff.

Nearly 20,000 subscriptions were reportedly canceled after the endorsement was halted, and several editorial board members resigned in protest. Despite this, Soon-Shiong remains committed to introducing conservative viewpoints to the paper’s opinion section.

The policy aligns with a similar strategy taken by Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, whose publication refrained from endorsing either candidate in the 2024 election. Soon-Shiong sees these changes as necessary for fostering civil discourse and bridging political divides.

Critics, however, argue the move undermines journalistic integrity. Longtime columnist Harry Litman resigned earlier this month, accusing the Times of abandoning its principles. Litman described the new direction as “appeasing Trump” for financial gain.

Despite the criticism, Soon-Shiong is focused on the paper’s future sustainability. He has stressed the importance of attracting a broader readership and adapting to the challenges facing traditional media.

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