Glenn Kessler, longtime “Fact Checker” for The Washington Post, is stepping down after 27 years with the paper. Kessler announced his departure via Facebook, citing financial considerations and confirming he accepted a buyout. His final day is July 31.
Kessler became a controversial figure for his consistent defense of Democrat narratives and repeated attacks on Republican figures. One of the most notable examples came during the 2012 presidential race when Republican candidate Mitt Romney criticized Barack Obama for not visiting Israel during his first term—a true claim that Kessler still rated as false. The Washington Post’s decision to stand by such biased assessments eroded public trust in the fact-checking process.
Under Kessler’s watch, the Post’s fact-checking column gained a reputation for partisan distortion. When Republican Carly Fiorina stated that she began her business career as a secretary, Kessler awarded her “three Pinocchios,” despite admitting in the article that she held secretarial roles. Meanwhile, his team repeatedly defended Democrats, including Hillary Clinton over her mishandling of Benghazi and Joe Biden over a host of gaffes and scandals.
Kessler waited 532 days to admit that Hunter Biden’s laptop was legitimate, a delay that contributed to the suppression of critical information during the 2020 election cycle. His special Trump database, which claimed President Trump lied over 30,000 times, was discontinued under Biden’s presidency—further exposing the double standard.
The buyout Kessler received includes 18 months of salary and 12 months of retirement credit. His exit is part of a broader trend of media departures as corporate outlets face declining influence and credibility. Other liberal media figures, including Chuck Todd, Jim Acosta, and Joy Reid, have also exited or been demoted in recent months.
As legacy media continues its downward spiral, the departure of partisan voices like Kessler marks a turning point. The collapse of the so-called “fact-checking” empire signals a loss of power for institutions that weaponized information under the guise of neutrality.
