Senior Columnist Walks Out In Protest Against Alleged Trump Appeasing

A senior columnist at the Los Angeles Times resigns, citing concerns over the paper’s editorial direction.

At a Glance

Harry Litman, a senior legal columnist, resigned from the Los Angeles Times.
Litman accused owner Patrick Soon-Shiong of appeasing President-elect Donald Trump.
The LA Times did not endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
Soon-Shiong aims to balance the paper’s political slant with more conservative voices.
A “bias meter” supported by AI is being developed for the newspaper’s articles.

Columnist’s Departure Sparks Debate on Editorial Independence

The Los Angeles Times faces internal turmoil as senior legal columnist Harry Litman announces his resignation, citing concerns over the paper’s editorial direction under owner Patrick Soon-Shiong. Litman’s departure highlights growing tensions between traditional journalistic values and the influence of media ownership in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Litman, who announced his resignation in his Substack newsletter, is the fourth editorial board member to leave over similar issues. His exit comes amid accusations that Soon-Shiong is steering the paper towards a more Trump-friendly stance.

LA Times columnist resigns, accuses newspaper owner of ‘shameful capitulation' to Trump https://t.co/7wXwUuA1OU #FoxNews

— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) December 6, 2024

Endorsement Controversy and Subscription Backlash

A key point of contention is Soon-Shiong’s decision to break with tradition and not endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. This move, which diverges from the paper’s practice since 2008, has sparked controversy both within the newsroom and among readers. Litman specifically accused Soon-Shiong of blocking an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I don’t want to continue to work for a paper that is appeasing Trump and facilitating his assault on democratic rule for craven reasons,” Litman wrote. “My resignation is a protest and visceral reaction against the conduct of the paper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.”

The controversy has not been without consequences for the LA Times. Approximately 2,000 readers reportedly canceled their subscriptions in response to the blocked endorsement, signaling a potential erosion of trust between the paper and its long-time readership.

Balancing Act: Soon-Shiong’s Vision for the LA Times

Soon-Shiong has expressed a desire to balance the left-leaning political bias of the LA Times by including more conservative and centrist voices. This effort to broaden the paper’s perspective has led to the recent addition of conservative commentator Scott Jennings to the editorial board, a move that has further fueled the ongoing debate.

In a move that underscores his commitment to transparency and balance, Soon-Shiong is developing a “bias meter” for the newspaper’s articles. This tool, supported by artificial intelligence, is expected to launch by January and aims to provide readers with a clearer understanding of the perspectives presented in the paper’s reporting.

The Broader Implications for Media Independence

Litman’s resignation and the ensuing controversy at the LA Times raise important questions about the delicate balance between editorial independence and ownership influence in modern media. As newspapers and other news outlets navigate an increasingly polarized political landscape, the preservation of journalistic integrity remains a critical concern.

The situation at the LA Times serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by traditional media outlets in maintaining their role as unbiased sources of information while adapting to changing reader expectations and market pressures. As the industry continues to evolve, the debate over editorial independence and the proper role of media ownership is likely to remain at the forefront of discussions about the future of journalism.