In response to Donald Trump’s significant electoral victory, Patrick Soon-Shiong, publisher and owner of the LA Times, has decided to overhaul the entire Editorial Board of the publication. He also chose to withdraw the newspaper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in the presidential race, a move that has reportedly upset the current Board members.
“The newsroom is pissed,” a source informed The Wrap.
“The American people have spoken and @latimes will take the lead to provide factual and balanced coverage as the country heals its division,” Soon-Shiong stated.
Soon-Shiong expressed pride in sharing a letter from a reader on X, highlighting the importance of inclusive dialogue. “When the President has won the vote of the majority of Americans then ALL voices must be heard. Opinions are just that. I will work towards making our paper and media fair and balanced so that all voices are heard and we can respectfully exchange every American’s view ..from left to right to the center. Coming soon. A new Editorial Board. Trust in media is critical for a strong democracy.”
This letter came in response to a piece the paper published that criticized the presidential election results, titled “There’s no mystery. White women handed Trump the election.” Writer LZ Granderson claimed: “The majority of white women in this country want a male president — preferably white. That’s not me talking; that’s nearly a century of voting data speaking.” He argued that sexism and racism were key factors in Kamala’s loss.
The letter shared by Soon-Shiong challenged Granderson’s viewpoint, with the author asserting: “One, I object to being defined by skin color. No one should be so defined. Until we learn to move beyond such divisive markers, we will continually be at odds over differences that amount to fictions. Two, exit polls clearly show that it was men of all stripes, if we must employ distinctions, who again handed Trump the White House.”
The LA Times Guild had previously expressed apprehension regarding Soon-Shiong’s refusal to support a pro-Kamala endorsement, voicing deep concern over his choice to block the planned support and his comments that seemed to place blame on editorial board members.
One board member, Mariel Garza, resigned following Soon-Shiong’s decision to halt the endorsement. He informed the board that they could either cover the positions of both candidates or remain silent, but could not issue a direct endorsement. Ultimately, the board opted for silence, a choice Soon-Shiong said he respected.
“I am resigning because I want to make it clear that I am not okay with us being silent,” Garza explained to the Columbia Journalism Review. “In dangerous times, honest people need to stand up. This is how I’m standing up.”
