Hollywood Stars are Furious with the Washington Post

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times declined to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. By Friday, the Washington Post made a similar decision.

This lack of endorsement from two traditionally liberal outlets has sparked significant backlash in the entertainment industry, with prominent figures publicly expressing their discontent.

Among the critics, actor Jeffrey Wright, known for his roles in The Batman and James Bond, posted a screenshot of his canceled Washington Post subscription, stating, “Washington Post. Hometown paper. Grew up with it. Bye, byatch.” His post was followed by actor Bradley Whitford, recognized for The West Wing and Get Out, who echoed the Washington Post’s tagline, writing: “Democracy Dies in Darkness.”

Film director Paul Feig, known for his work on the 2016 Ghostbusters, voiced his disappointment as well, singling out Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, who reportedly blocked an endorsement for Harris. Feig’s criticism reflects an emerging discontent among Hollywood figures toward media ownership by billionaires.

Actor Jon Cryer, from Two and a Half Men, also expressed his frustration, joining others in publicly canceling subscriptions. Star Wars actor Mark Hamill directed his message to the Los Angeles Times, announcing his subscription cancellation on social media, and emphasizing, “In dangerous times, honest people need to stand up.”

Actress Alyssa Milano, who starred in Who’s the Boss and Charmed, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to criticize billionaire influence over media, noting, “Billionaires suck.” This comment drew attention to Elon Musk’s ownership of X, as Musk is a noted supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Actor George Takei from Star Trek joined the criticism, calling for a boycott of Amazon, Bezos’ primary enterprise, over the Washington Post’s stance. The West Wing actor Joshua Malina echoed similar sentiments, noting that if he subscribed to either paper, he would cancel as well.

The rejection of an endorsement by the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post—two publications traditionally supportive of Democratic candidates—has raised questions.

While both outlets had previously endorsed many Democrats, their hesitation over Harris reflects possible concerns within the party’s broader base. With Harris seeing declines in recent national and swing state polls, her campaign now faces intensified media scrutiny over its internal challenges, signaling a complex moment ahead in her political trajectory.